The Department of Tourism (DOT) has committed to provide more relief assistance to thousands of tourism workers who were affected by the widespread flooding and other adverse effects of the weather disturbances that hit the country in the past days.

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said they already teamed up with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the identification and distribution of relief assistance to frontline tourism workers.

“The livelihoods of our tourism frontline workers have been deeply affected, resulting in not only a loss of income but also diminished security for their families. This situation underscores the critical need for targeted assistance to these workers, who are essential to the tourism sector,” said Frasco.

As of July 26, around 4,800 were added in the list of tourism workers affected by the three successive tropical storms and the southwest monsoon or habagat.

Based on the DOPT data, they are from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Calabarzon (Region 4A), Mimaropa (Region 4B), Negros Island Region (NIR), and Western Visayas (Region 6).

The DOT and the DSWD have been distributing family packs to affected tourism workers.

Frasco said regional offices are also closely monitoring on-the-ground situations, especially in areas hit by the typhoons and habagat.

Some areas severely hit by the typhoons and habagat, however, have lifted suspension of tourism activities.

In Metro Manila, Intramuros-managed sites–Fort Santiago, Casa Manila Museum, Baluarte de San Diego, Centro de Turismo Intramuros, and Museo de Intramuros–have resumed regular operations.

The town of Sagada in Mountain Province Sagada has resumed limited tourism activity including outdoor tours and site-specific caving and spelunking.

While the Province of Abra resumed limited tourism activities at select destinations, including Lusuac Spring, Gaco View Deck, and Ponpon Foot Bridge.

In Ifugao, tourism activities in Mayoyao will resume beginning Sunday, July 27.

“The DOT continues to coordinate closely with its regional offices, LGUs, and other partner government agencies to ensure a unified and timely response to weather disruptions,” said Frasco.