Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo- Puyat personally met with leaders of the provincial and city governments, together with various stakeholders from private and public sectors and discussed the rehabilitation and recovery efforts of the industry to restart tourism activities.
In the meeting, Puyat disclosed that at least P6 billion in the form of loan has been allocated for the Cares for TRAVEL program under Small Business Corporation (SB Corp) for the benefit of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
She urged the industry leaders avail of the loan to allow them to sustain their businesses and keep their workers amid the on-going pandemic. She said the loans granted are four years to pay at zero interest rates with a one year grace period.
In Western Visayas according to Puyat there were only 47 approved applications, which translate to only P29. 5 million.
Aside from the loan facility, Puyat also sought the assistance of the local government leaders to spread the word that a total P3.1 billion fund has been allocated for qualified displaced tourism workers to avail of P5,000 each in cash assistance.
Puyat is holding a three-day visit to Bacolod and some parts of Negros Occidental from January 19 to 21 to meet with DOT- DOLE beneficiaries under Bayanihan 2.
She also graced the launch of “Negros Heritage Cooking” book at the Casa Gamboa in Silay City, yesterday, January 19. She was joined by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, and Silay City Mayor Mark Golez.
