Rosette nobility – Philstar.com
December 29, 2021 | 11:08 am
MANILA, Philippines – The Ministry of Tourism announced on Wednesday that it is preparing a remediation and restoration plan for the tourist destinations hit by Typhoon Odette.
In a statement, the tourism agency said it is already doing a quick assessment and gathering information about the devastation of Odette in tourist destinations like Bohol, Camiguin, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Occidental, Palawan, Siargao and Southern Leyte so that it could get that far with a rehabilitation and recovery plan.
“The plan will focus on addressing immediate concerns of affected tourism workers, such as cash-for-work or alternative livelihood programs and rebuilding affected facilities from various companies,” said the DOT.
It expressed the hope that it would be able to provide an inventory of the damage to the tourism industry once the power and communication lines are fully restored.
Meanwhile, the DOT said it is making every effort to help the local government unit meet the immediate needs of those affected by Odette.
The tourism agency also said it is working closely with the Department of Labor and Employment to obtain financial assistance for the tourism workers affected by the worst typhoon to hit the country this year.
“We stand behind us in these difficult times with our Kababayans and our tourism stakeholders from Visayas and Mindanao,” said the DOT.
In the meantime, the Tourism Promotions Board, marketing and promotions department of the DOT, has also facilitated the delivery of relief supplies and basic needs to Cebu, Siargao, Tacloban, Palawan and Negros Oriental.
The DOT added that monetary donations were also made by tourism actors to affected institutions and regional offices.
The DOT, in partnership with the Makati Med Foundation, will continue the vaccination program for tourism workers in Siargao. They would also oversee the community’s immediate medical needs.
According to the situation report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management dated December 28, 2021, a total of 1,082,910 families or 4,235,400 people were affected by Odette 10, Region in MIMAROPA, Region 5, Region 6, Region 7, Region 8, Region 9, Region 11, Region 12, CARAGA and BARMM.
The typhoon also cut power, water and communications lines in these areas.
According to the NDRRMC, a total of seven airports were reported as not operational. Five of them have already resumed operations in MIMAROPA and Region 10.
On the other hand, 128 seaports were reported as not operational. 78 new seaports have already been operated in CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Region 5, Region 9, Region 10 and CARAGA.
