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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Some Victoria Court branches to close due to COVID-19 impact

Some Victoria Court branches to close due to COVID-19 impact

Published Jun 2, 2020 12:00 am
By Patrick Garcia Hotelier and champion car racer Angelina Mead King announced Tuesday (June 2) the closing of her Victoria Court branches in the country due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hotel industry. Angie shares ownership and management duties of Victoria Court with her brother Atticus King. Angie is the head of the southern branches of Victoria Court while her brother runs the northern branches. In a video she posted online, Angie said the hotel and motel operations will not be able to "produce the same results" as it used to. She explained that Victoria Court will have to go into survival mode after being hit by the economic effects of COVID-19 in the hospitality business. King's full statement reads as follows: "To my dearest employees, it deeply saddens me to have to record this video. As many of you know by now, we are facing unprecedented times in this world. This COVID virus has really decimated all facets of life. "As much as I have been trying to extend a helping hand to each and every one of you over these past few months, it is with a heavy heart that I now have to make a life-changing decision that will affect us all. "Over the next few weeks, I don't think that hotel and motel operations will be able to produce the same results as how we used to. It is time that we face the facts and be honest, and try to prepare for what's coming. "Even though we have been accepting OFWs, BPOs, and maritime crew, it is still not enough for the business to sustain itself and take care of all of us. We all have to go into survival mode. It is better for us to prepare for this now, rather than ignore it. "Over the next few weeks, we will be preparing your retirement and retrenchment packages, so that you will have some funds to survive over the next few months. Please don't think that we have come to this decision lightly. It was a great difficulty. I want to let you know that we value all your hard work and loyalty that you have given during my management. And I really wish there was another way to go about this. "For now, I have to advise you to please look for another job to support yourself and your family during these tough times. And when the business does reopen again, you'll be the first ones that we call back. I want to say please, stay safe, stay healthy, stay hopeful. I want to wish everyone the best of luck. This is your CEO signing out." For his part, Atticus uploaded a separate video on social media clarifying that while he and Angie share the brand, they have different management groups and emphasized "my group is not closing." In a Facebook post, he wrote that they "opted to do a deep retrenchment to try to keep the lights on until things revert back to normal."
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