Mapalo: The struggle is real: Depressing yet hopeful
July 3, 2020 Sunstar Daily Baguio
It's been almost four months now since the government announced a national quarantine
These are supposed to be Baguio's peak season for tourists. Last year, the number of tourist arrivals
for these four months (March to June), as per submitted hotel check-in data, was 517.107. And
considering a survey that says each tourist spends P2,700 per visit, per person, we can estimate that
P1.4 billion of potential gross tourist receipts did not come in this year. That amount could have been
what went to the salaries of employees and income of tourism businesses and their suppliers, spread
across different sectors including the events, entertainment, and creative sectors.
In a life-changing moment, the city that thrived and prospered as a popular tourist destination
is suddenly struggling. No tourists mean no business, no income, no livelihood. From accommodation
establishments alone, around 4,000 employees are affected and fearing possible retrenchment Victory
Liner, a tourism partner of North Luzon destinations, has already laid off 400 employees. In Burnham
Park, there are around 250 concessioners, aides, vendors, guides and photographers, who currently
have no source of income. According to DOT-CAR OIC Jovi Ganongan. 12 ESL (English as Second
Language) schools, now recognized as a growing tourism sector with foreign students as their market,
had displaced 1,048 teachers and employees.
The Baguio Tourism Council is conducting a survey that will assess the impact of this
pandemic to tourism-oriented establishments. And so far, 33 businesses are saying that they will have
no other option but to shut down operations. One of our favorite home-grown restaurants, Forest
House Bistro and Café, which closed recently, may just be the tip of the iceberg.
Yes, the struggle is real. Employment, livelihood, and business revenue are at an all-time low.
And the effect will trickle down to city revenue - no business means no taxes. Even the Philippine
National Police looked at it from a different perspective, unemployment could mean more crimes.
Depressing times indeed. And experts are saying that it will take two years for things to get "normal
again.
11. What is the article all about? (2 pts.)
12. Describe the status of the tourist destinations in Baguio City during the national quarantine. (2 pts
13. What could be the possible effects of unemployment? (2 pts.)
14. If you were one of those affected entrepreneurs, what would you do? (2 pts.)
15. In these trying times, how could you help the present situation of the city? (2 pts.)​