30-K Cordi tourism workers get P156-M from DOT-DOLE

By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis

BAGUIO CITY –More than 30,000 displaced workers from almost 800 establishments in Cordillera recently received financial assistance amounting to more than P156 million from the Departments of Tourism and Labor and Employment as of May 26, 2021.
    In Baguio City, some 1,500 workers from tourism business establishments, tourism support service and community – based tourism organizations affected by the Covid-19 pandemic were beneficiaries of cash assistance from DOT and DOLE. Tourism Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong DOTCordillera regional director Jovita Ganongan and DOLE Cordillera technical support and services division chief George Lubin Jr. led awarding of certificates of eligibility to 10 beneficiary organizations here  at Baguio Country Club on   May 30.
    A total of 1,466 individuals from identified tourism business establishments, tourism support service and community – based tourism organizations will receive one-time P5, 000 financial assistance.
    Among the tourism organization beneficiaries are Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) Inc., Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters ng Pilipinas (KBP) Baguio-Benguet Chapter, Baguio Wedding and Event Suppliers Organizations Inc., Baguio Event Workers Association, Persons with Disability, Masseuse and Tour Guide Association, Pasakalye Group of Artists Inc., Victor Oyteza Community Arts and Space (VOCAS) Foundation, Highlander Night Market Association, Baguio Market Vendors Multi-purpose Cooperative, and the Bag-iw Market Vendors Association Inc.
    The financial assistance and cash-for-work program for displaced workers in the tourism sector is pursuant to Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.
    The DOT and DOLE last February issued joint memorandum circular 2021-001 expanding coverage of beneficiaries to include local government-licensed tourism support service enterprises, providers and associations of providers.  
    “Ang binibigyan naming sa Bayanihan II are not only those working in hotels or restaurants. Sinama namin last February ang mga masahista, tricycle drivers, ung mga nasa creative sector because all of them lost income nung nawala ang tourism,” Puyat said.
    Magalong said that the tourism sector in the city of Baguio was the most affected industry in this pandemic.
He noted the closing down of businesses, laying off of workers and the major losses in revenue in the tourism sector.
    It was a difficult decision but it was necessary to close down the city at the onset of the pandemic to manage the spread of the virus for the safety of the people, Magalong said.
    The mayor expressed gratitude to Puyat for making sure that each of the beneficiaries will be given help.
    He added aside from Baguio City, other provinces in the Cordillera region also benefitted from the financial assistance of the DOT and DOLE. – PIA Cordillera