OVER P56 billion of tourist spending is at stake during the imminent Boracay Island rehabilitation and restoration, but the Department of Tourism (DOT) is now collaborating with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to address the issue.
Tourism Secretary Corazon T. Teo recognizes the possible effects, including job displacements and economic dislocation, of the the current upgrading of Boracay, and is already looking at alternative means of livelihood and employment.
“We are aware of the situation of Boracay but we cannot just discount the thousands of employees and their families and the economic contribution of the island through its tourist receipts and job employment. We have to strike a balance between the environment and the economy,” Teo said.
Boracay Island welcomed over 2 million local and foreign tourists last year for a 16-percent growth from 2016. Boracay also employed the most for the Western Visayas region last year with 17,737 direct tourism employment accounting to 66 percent of the whole region.
DOT Regional Director for Western Visayas Atty. Helen Catalbas shared that most of the workers at the island are from other places like Cebu, Negros, Manila, and other provinces in Luzon.
The DOT Regional Office 6 is already in coordination with other local government units in efforts to relocate employees that may be laid off during the Boracay rehabilitation.
“Those who will be affected can work with the demolition of illegal structures and the construction of the improved sewage system and road infrastructure,” Teo added.
Hotel and tourism establishments can for the meantime polish and update their facilities and manpower during the reported Boracay upgrading.
The DOT is also studying tax holidays and incentives for those business and employees affected. Skills development trainings and seminars for front liners and other tourism ambassadors are also being planned.
The DOT holds regular consultation meetings with tourism stakeholders including tour operators and travel agency associations in pacifying the effects to the domestic and international tourist market.
Meanwhile, the DOT remains steadfast in its support to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in its pursue to solve the environment woes of the island and the Department of the Interior and Local Government in apprehension of those who violated and abused the law.
The tourism department is also gearing up to the launching of the ‘new’ Boracay after its renovation and upgrading.
“After the six-month timeline set by President Duterte, we look forward to introducing to the world the ‘new’ and improved Boracay,” Teo added.
1 comment
What a joke, highly skilled hotel workers should participate in the demolition. What are they thinking? Workers will find work elsewhere in one year and businesses will have to find new staff and train them again after a year. A burdon on top of losing a whole year’s income. How are businesses supposed to pay their bank loan installments or leases without any money coming in?? Large businesses can survive it maybe but what about the myriad of small businesses that are part of the success that Boracay is?
Masyadong obvious ang MO ng gobyerno natin.
Anti-drug campaign: kill small dealers and users but protect drug lords and crony drug rings.
Boracay initiative: Kill small businesses but build large Chinese casino.
Anti-corruption daw? Walang mangungurakot! Kami lang pwede!