The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) rolled out emergency cash assistance this week to tourism workers affected by recent earthquakes in Davao Oriental and Bogo City, Cebu—reinforcing the national government’s commitment to help communities recover quickly and sustainably.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) distribution in Mati City on Thursday, following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to extend continued support to quake-hit areas in the Davao Region.
Secretary Frasco emphasized the importance of unified efforts to revive local tourism and restore livelihoods disrupted by the 7.4 and 6.8-magnitude earthquakes that shook the region in October. She underscored the Administration’s goal to keep tourism a stable, secure, and dependable source of income for communities nationwide.
Held at the Provincial Capitol Covered Court, the Davao Oriental leg gathered national agencies, local leaders, and community partners. A total of 1,339 tourism workers received financial assistance, reinforcing the government’s all-of-government approach to immediate relief and long-term recovery.
Secretary Gatchalian noted that tourism workers remain a priority in the government’s post-disaster support efforts, recognizing their crucial role in sustaining local and national economies. Provincial and city executives also highlighted tourism as a lifeline industry, deeply tied to culture, livelihood, and community identity.
In Cebu, DOT Region VII Officer-in-Charge Gelena Asis-Dimpas led the ECT distribution to 365 affected tourism workers in Bogo City—one of the hardest-hit areas following the recent earthquake. She assured beneficiaries that ongoing national support remains strong, with over PHP 200 million already directed to Cebu for relief, rehabilitation, and livelihood recovery.
The DOT has also partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Small Business Corporation (SBCorp) to provide recovery loans under the Enterprise Rehabilitation Financing (ERF) and Turismo Asenso Loan programs, benefiting nearly 1,800 individuals across Northern Cebu.
Beyond financial assistance, the DOT continues to prioritize the restoration of heritage structures and tourism assets damaged by the earthquakes, ensuring that tourism-dependent communities can rebuild with resilience.
The ECT rollout in both Davao Oriental and Bogo City forms part of the Bayanihan sa Bukas na May Pag-asa sa Turismo (BBMT) program, a DOT–DSWD collaboration dedicated to ensuring that no tourism worker is left behind in times of crisis.