Davao del Norte: Mayor Al David Uy of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) bared that their tourism income plunged by about 60% due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing quarantine.
“Dako kaayo impact sa tourism, in fact ang local income nato is really affected. Siguro ang estimates nako average lang in the last three months, from March, April hangtod sa May, naa sa 60% ang affected talaga. We lost 60% of our tourism income if not 70%. (It greatly impacted our tourism in fact our local income is really affected, in my estimates we averaged in the last three months from March, April to May it is 60% affected, We lost 60% of our tourism income if not 70%),” the Mayor said.
This can be attributed to the 90% of almost 130 resorts in IGaCoS which did not operate during the lockdown. Borrowing a medical parlance, Mayor Uy describes the state of the city’s tourism industry as in a comatose state.
He said to alleviate the loss of income and livelihood, the city government has been providing food assistance consisting of rice and canned goods since March. Mayor Uy said they have completed the third wave of food pack distribution and there is a forthcoming fourth wave.
Mayor Uy said that the Sangguniang Panglungsod under Vice-Mayor Richard Guindolman has revised the revenue ordinance where those applying or renewal for this year’s business permits will get 30% discount in fee and charges. The local government is also waiving rent for market stalls and spaces in government structures for three months.
Aside from the local government, the national government thru the Department of Social Welfare Social Amelioration Program or SAP, the Department of Labor and Employment TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) and the Social Security System Small Business Wage Subsidy program has benefited the city’s residents.
Before the pandemic, IGaCoS was a major tourism destination for Davao Region, the city is known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs and dive spots. Tourism has been a high growth industry in IGaCoS; from 520,000 tourist arrivals in 2013, it registered 1.3 million visitors in 2017. (PIA/RG Alama)
