Masbate tourism workers displaced by ‘Opong’ to be trained for alternative jobs

By Ernie Delgado

MASBATE CITY, Masbate --- Tourism workers displaced by Typhoon Opong which struck Masbate last month will receive training for alternative livelihoods.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco announced this during the distribution of assistance in Masbate City last Monday, in which more than 800 affected tourism workers received P10,263 each in cash aid through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Emergency Cash Transfer program.

“After the emergency cash transfer is done, this program will continue with the Department of Tourism providing alternative livelihood skills training to you so that if your tourism destinations are still affected, your livelihood will continue,” Frasco said in a brief speech at Magallanes Coliseum.

Frasco said the tourism industry in Masbate is struggling due to the effects of the disaster.

According to the latest monitoring from the local tourism office, Typhoon Opong has impacted nearly 100 tourism sites and affected over 1,000 tourism workers.

The impacted workers will take part in skills training programs organized by the DOT’s regional office, according to Frasco.

The regional office will also create a recovery action plan, she added.

Frasco reiterated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to assist the typhoon victims in Masbate until they fully recover and encouraged tourism workers not to lose hope.

“Your government, led by President Marcos, supports you not only during happier times but also in times of crisis in your life,” she emphasized in Filipino and Cebuano.

“As we say, habang may turismo, may asenso,” she added.

(When there is tourism, there is progress.) (PIA Masbate)