By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for a whole-of-nation approach in helping the tourism workers get back on their feet, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco personally handed over on Monday (27 May 2024) cash aid to 1,283 tourism workers affected by various disasters in the Davao region.
During the ceremonial turnover of cash aid in Mati, Davao Oriental, the tourism workers in the tourism industry who suffered damages due to severe flooding in February this year, were given cash assistance through the DOT’s project Bayanihan sa Bukas sa may Pag-asa para sa Turismo (BBMT).
Organized by the DOT, the provision of assistance was supported by the DSWD Secretary by mobilizing the agency’s resources to provide aid and livelihood opportunities to the affected population as they recover from the hardship caused by the weather disturbances.
Gatchalian was joined by DSWD Field Office-11 (Davao Region) Regional Director Vanessa Goc-ong during the activity.
For the part of DOT, Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Chief of Staff and Concurrent Undersecretary for Tourism and Regulation Coordination and Resource Generation and Director for Regional Office VII Shahlimar Hofer Tamano; and Assistant Secretary for Tourism Regulation Coordination & Resource Generation Maria Rica Bueno attended the aid giving.
Local government officials were also present at the event, including Davao Oriental 1st District Rep. Nelson Dayanghirang Sr., Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno D Almario, Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat, Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane Jr, Davao de Oro Governor Dorothy Gonzaga, and Davao Oriental Governor Ñino Sotero Uy Jr.
Gatchalian supported the project following the request from DOT Secretary Frasco for the agency to assist the disaster-affected workers in the tourism industry.
(el Amigo/MNM)