A total of 355,797 tourism workers across the country have been granted "ayuda" or cash aid under the financial assistance program of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Tourism Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Monday, April 12 that the cash assistance was provided through the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP)-Tourism, which was aimed at helping tourism stakeholders and industry workers affected by the pandemic.
Puyat and her DOLE counterpart, Sec. Silvestre Bello III virtually attended on the same day the ceremonial awarding of cash aid to over 8,200 workers of 35 tourism establishments in the "NCR-plus".
An enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was imposed over Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal–collectively known as NCR-plus--from March 29 to April 11. This prevented the vast majority of people in the area from going to work.
"In light of the recent setbacks faced by the tourism industry due to the resurgence of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) cases, I hope this can bring a bit of good news especially for stakeholders and workers from the NCR-plus bubble," Puyat said during the virtual event.
According to her, a total of 67,347 tourism workers have been approved for financial assistance amounting to P336.74 million in the NCR-plus bubble alone as of April 6 this year.
The CAMP beneficiaries are given a one-time financial of P5,000. They include those working at accommodation establishments, travel and tours, massage therapists, tricycle operators and drivers, and handicraft makers, among others.
"We are hopeful that this will provide some relief to our most affected stakeholders and tourism workers during these difficult times," Puyat said.
The DOT chief added that the department is continuously collaborating with local government units, stakeholders as well as residents in local communities to find viable solutions to the challenges posed by the current health crisis to the tourism sector.
She also urged beneficiaries to remain optimistic.
"The journey towards recovery may be a long one but know that you are not alone. Together, we will bring back the fun to the country's tourism industry that is better, stronger, and more resilient than ever before," Puyat assured them.