Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go Monday expressed his support for the proposed 2021 P4.1 billion budget of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

‘’Siguraduhin lang po natin na magagamit ito nang tama at para sa tama. And, in fact, during the BiCam, full support rin po ako sa ating DOT,’’ Go, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, said in Monday’s public hearing on the DOT budget. (Just make sure that the money would be used properly. And in fact during the (Senate-House of Representatives) bicameral conference committee meeting, I will give my full support for the DOT budget.)      

‘’There is no denying the fact that the tourism sector was one of the most affected by this pandemic. Because of travel restrictions and health protocols, it has become very difficult for the department to perform its mandate of encouraging, promoting, and developing tourism as a major socio-economic activity to generate foreign currency and employment and to spread the benefits of tourism to both the private and public sector,’’ he explained.       

Go said that people are afraid to go out, fearful of being infected by coronavirus disease (COVID-19).  

‘’This notwithstanding, the department has greatly assisted in the government’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic by organizing sweeper flights, or even commercial recovery flights, to shuttle locally stranded tourists back to their home provinces or countries,’’ Go pointed out.   

 ‘’The department even aided in coordinating with national and local government units, embassies, as well as arranging necessary land and sea transportation, providing meals, and accommodation arrangements for those who were stranded. I commend and thank you for all these initiatives. Ako po, witness ako doon, nakita ko ang trabaho ng DOT, noon, umpisa pa man hanggang ngayon po,’’ he added. (I was a witness…I have seen how the DOT worked, from the start {of the Duterte administration}  to the present.)     

Before COVID-19, according to Go,  the tourism sector significantly contributed to the country’s economy and was expected to continue doing so for a considerable number of years.   

 ‘’However, this pandemic caught us by surprise and the world was not prepared for it. Unfortunately, our tourism industry was and will be largely affected because of it,’’ he said.     

‘’Maraming nawalan ng trabaho dahil dito. Many businesses frequented by tourists, like hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and the like, were forced to shut down.  Even in Davao, sa Samal Island, wala na pong pumupunta. Tingnan ho sana natin kung paano natin sila matutulungan. Let us find ways to provide employment, especially in the provinces for those who want to return. Let us aid our small business in restarting their sources of livelihood,’’ he said. (Many lost their jobs ….Even in Davao, Samal island, no one knows where to go. Let us see how we can help.)   

‘’But, we must not take such negative effect sitting down. We must continue to work towards reviving this booming sector and bring it back to its promising stature. That is why I fully support the proposed budgetary requests and requirements of the DOT. The tourism industry has largely contributed and will continue to contribute to regional development kaya huwag nating pabayaan ang industriyang ito,’’ he added. (let us not allow the tourism industry fail.)    

‘’Paalala ko lang din po na (remember) although we want to promote our tourist spots and develop them for economic gain, we must also ensure their care and continuous protection. Alagaan natin ang ating mga likas na yaman at siguraduhin natin na hindi masisira ang ating kalikasan,’’  he said. (Protect our natural resources and do not allow our natural resources be destroyed.)