Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat today, January 19, asked local government officials to spread the word that a P3.1 billion fund has been allocated to enable qualified displaced tourism workers to avail of P5,000 each in cash assistance.
Romulo-Puyat, at a tourism stakeholders meeting at Seda Capitol Central in Bacolod City this afternoon, said the displaced workers and back-to-work employees working “flexi hours” should avail of the one-time cash assistance now, otherwise, the fund will revert back to the national treasury.
So far, only 20 percent of the P3.1 billion Bayanihan 2 fund has been distributed, she said.
President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the deadline for availing of the joint Department of Tourism-Department of Labor and Employment financial assistance from December 2020 to June 2021, she added.
The tourism industry employs 5.7 million workers so that will probably only benefit 600,000, she said.
The assistance covers employees under DOT-accredited and LGU licensed enterprises, she said. Those who availed of wage subsidy assistance from the DOLE and the Social Security System can still avail of the DOT aid, she said.
So far, P50.9 million has been distributed throughout Western Visayas, and P8.7 million in Negros Occidental for 1,754 beneficiaries, Romulo-Puyat said. She hopes more avail of the assistance because the tourism industry is one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, she added.
Those interested in availing of the assistance may visit the DOT website for details.
There is also P100 million allotted for P5,000 cash assistance to tour guides, she said.
LOANS TO MSMEs
Romulo-Puyat also urged micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to avail of the Cares for Tourism Rehabilitation and Vitalization of Enterprises and Livelihood (Cares for TRAVEL) Program to help them sustain their businesses and keep their workers amid the on-going pandemic.
She said P6 billion has been allocated for the Cares for TRAVEL program under Small Business Corporation (SB Corp), wherein loans granted are four years to pay at zero interest rates with a one year grace period.
They have so far approved 47 applications for loans with P29. 5 million granted in Western Visayas, she said. As of December 21, only P820,000 has been extended to three tourism enterprises from Bacolod and Negros Occidental, Romulo-Puyat added.
At the stakeholders meeting this afternoon, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City reported on the state of tourism in their areas.
INNOVATIVE MEANS
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, in his speech at the stakeholders meeting for Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, said the event “signifies our firm resolve to gain ground in our recovery efforts for the tourism industry.”
As one of the most gifted provinces in terms of natural and human resources, Negros Occidental has a vast potential for tourism, including food tourism, farm tourism and sports tourism, he said.
“Given that physical distancing might be the new norm for an indefinite period of time, such is a double-edged sword. While it is beneficial to public health, it can add to the burden on the concerted efforts to revive the economy,” he said.
Thus, the need not just for decisive actions, but for also innovative means to address both public health and economic concerns, Lacson said.
Reports were made on the state of tourism in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City at the meeting.
VACCINES
The COVID-19 vaccines will be a big help in reopening the tourism industry, Romulo-Puyat said.
But she reminded that even if one has been vaccinated, COVID-19 minimum health protocols will still have to be observed, she said.
Romulo-Puyat said she is hoping tourism frontlines will be included in the second phase of those to be covered by the COVID-19 vaccines.
The DOT is pushing for the saliva tests for COVID-19 because it will be cheaper, she said.
Under Modified General Community Quarantine tourism activities can resume but it is up to the local official, she added.*