BALER, Aurora (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured that no Filipino will be left behind as the government continues to support disaster-stricken families, including workers in the tourism sector.
The Chief Executive personally led the distribution of Emergency Cash Transfer to about 1,197 tourism workers in Aurora under the Bayanihan sa Bukas na may Pag-asa para sa Turismo (BBMT) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).
In his speech, the President said the BBMT program aims to provide immediate relief and sustainable livelihood assistance to tourism workers whose jobs and income were disrupted by disasters and emergencies.
“Sa Aurora, matutulungan natin ang halos dalawang libong manggagawa sa sektor ng turismo na lubos na naapektuhan ng mga kalamidad. Bawat isa ay makatatanggap ng ECT at mga pagsasanay na nagkakahalaga ng tig-iisang libong piso,” he said.
Aurora’s tourism industry was among the hardest hit by Typhoon Nika and Super Typhoons Ofel and Pepito in November 2024, leaving many workers without income.
To help them recover, each beneficiary is provided ₱11,250 in unconditional cash aid to restore their livelihood and revive local tourism activities.
“Asahan po ninyo kahit saang sektor kayo sa ating lipunan, kahit anong uri ng trabaho ninyo, kahit ano po ang hanapbuhay ninyo. Kapag po kayo ay naging biktima ng sakuna, aasahan nyo po na nandito ang inyong pamahalaan upang alalayan kayo at matulungan kayong maipagpatuloy ang inyong kabuhayan,” the President emphasized.
Among the beneficiaries, Margie Ramil from the town of Dilasag expressed her gratitude, sharing that the assistance will help her family recover from the storm’s impact, particularly in repairing their assets and regaining stability in their livelihood.
“We’re very happy because the last typhoon destroyed our roof. We are thankful to the President for helping us recover, and we hope he continues to support and encourage the growth of our tourism industry,” she said.
After the kick-off in Baler, the DSWD and DOT will hold simultaneous payouts in other municipalities of Aurora in coordination with local government units to ensure the swift and orderly distribution of aid.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen Aurora’s tourism sector, stressing that these interventions form part of a broader national strategy to rebuild local economies, protect jobs, and advance the Philippines’ overall tourism recovery. (CLJD/MAT, PIA Region 3-Aurora)
