The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has disclosed that an estimate of almost 3 million people have lost their livelihood due to the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) and DOLE have persisted in aiding the displaced workers through the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP).
The CAMP has aided almost half a million employees from the hotel and restaurant industries.
According to DOT, it will be a huge help if the quarantine measures in different areas of the Philippines will be lowered to General Community Quarantine and Modified General Community Quarantine since partial operation of hotels and accommodations is allowed, provided that minimum health standards is observed.
“We want na mag-open na slowly para unti-unti na rin magkaroon ng trabaho. (We want to slowly re-open so jobs will be available),” DOT Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat shared.
However, DOT Secretary Romulo-Puyat added that tourism in a certain place will only be opened if it has the ability to accept health emergencies. The DOT will require a hospital and testing center before the place can accept tourists.
Meanwhile, the DOLE trusts that the tourism in the country will be restored along with the rise of in-demand jobs from the information and communication, and digital industry.
Report from Cleizl Pardilla