By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
After his earlier engagements at the Turismo Asenso Loan Program’s (TALP) ceremony in Pasay City and the appointment of new DPWH and DOTr Secretaries in Malacañang, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the training and distribution of financial assistance to 1,197 beneficiaries in Baler, Aurora on Monday.
This initiative is part of the Bayanihan sa Bukas na may Pag-asa sa Turismo (BBMT) program, which aims to aid in the recovery of tourism workers from natural calamities and emergencies, enabling them to avail of cash assistance programs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and alternative livelihood training programs of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Starting in 2023, the BBMT has provided relief and assistance to 1,300 beneficiaries in Oriental Mindoro; and in 2024, it has helped 1,400 beneficiaries in Davao Region and 70 more individuals in Agusan del Sur.
President Marcos discussed in his speech, “Sa pamamagitan nitong BBMT, magsasagawa ng training ang Department of Tourism para sa mga interesadong magkaroon ng bagong kabuhayan. Kabilang dito ang mga beads, mga artwork training, paggawa ng pastry, fun farm tour product development, tourist reception seminar, at iba pa.”
The Chief Executive, moreover, emphasized the untapped potential of the country’s tourism industry, which accounts for 8% of the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP). He attributes such to the world-renowned Filipino hospitality and resilience in the face of disasters.
President Marcos said, noting that beneficiaries will receive P11,000 under DSWD’s ECT initiative, “Ang DSWD kasama din po dito sa programang ito. At mayroon din silang tulong na pinansyal na Emergency Cash Transfer o ECT. Ginagawa po namin ito hindi lamang para sa mga tourist workers kundi sa lahat ng mga tinamaan po ng sakuna.”
He concluded his remarks by ordering the DOT and the DSWD to sustain the momentum of BBMT, reassuring tourism workers of the government’s full support, especially in difficult times.
At the sidelines of BBMT, President Marcos accompanied Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara in launching the YAKAP Caravan at the same locale, which works in tandem with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) KONSULTA program in looking after the health and wellness of teachers, students, and their respective families.
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