More tourism workers in Metro Manila who were among those displaced by the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic have received some P8.6 million worth of cash assistance under the government’s pandemic recovery program, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said a total of 1,726 beneficiaries each received a one-time financial aid worth P5,000 from the joint cash assistance program of the DOT and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The funding for this came from the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act (Bayanihan 2).
Puyat led the distribution of the "ayuda" to representatives of the beneficiaries, which include tourism support service providers in the National Capital Region (NCR) such as food and non-food vendors, and photographers.
"We sincerely hope that this financial assistance will help you through these challenging times," Puyat said during the event held at the Rizal Park in Manila.
"We are continuing our efforts to bring the tourism industry into a better normal; providing a stronger, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable future for its stakeholders, workers, and local communities," she added.
Data from the DOT showed that a total of 54,668 tourism workers in the NCR have been given approval as far as their applications for the cash aid is concerned. The DOT-DOLE financial assistance program has a total budget of P273 million.
"I hope that we can continue working together for our shared goals and achieve a better normal for our industry. Hand in hand, we can bring back jobs and livelihoods, the full recovery of our industry, and the revitalization of our economy," the tourism chief added.
According to Puyat, the DOT-NCR’s focus is now on domestic market recovery, and on helping industry workers and stakeholders who have been negatively affected by the continued travel restrictions and the reluctance of people to travel.
Reports said the agency plans to put up Metro Manila travel hubs in at least 10 cities within NCR as well as the establishment of a Soul Circuit, which will make use of destinations within the Mega Manila such as Bataan, Manila, and Corregidor.
These locations are seen as ideal for tourism development because of their accessibility to Metro Manila residents.