The pay-check amounting to 860,210 pesos was turned-over to DOLE’s Accredited partner, the Barangay Local Government Unit of Sunrise chaired by Concepcion Andajao. The amount shall be extended to the 169 disadvantaged/displaced tourism workers, whose individual jobs were put on hold came pandemic late March this year. Each worker is set to receive 5,146 pesos for 15 days’ community service rendered under the clean-up drive and Agro-forestry project care of the City Tourism Office.

During the ceremonial turnover held at the White Beach Resort, Malamawi Island, Monday, December 21, 2020, City Tourism Officer Claudio M. Ramos II welcomed distinguished guests and recognized efforts of different government sectors in coming up with strategies to counter the effects brought by the pandemic in the tourism industry.

In her short message, Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia A. Turabin-Hataman acknowledged fruitful partnerships she earned during this time of crisis and commit to always find ways to contribute to help people who are displaced just like the ones in the tourism industry.

During her talk, she took the opportunity to thank partners DOLE and DOT for the programs launched and placed in the city.

“Hindi lang po kami tumatanggap ng tulong ninyo, kundi gusto naming nakakacontribute kami na kung ano man ang bininigay ninyo sa amin na mas mapapakinabangan po ng tao. At kung ano pa po ang pwede naming idagdag , mamaximaze para di po masayang yung tulong galing sa inyo”, she said.

Myra Paz Valderoza-Abubakar, Assistant Secretary for Mindanao and Concurrent Regional Director of Department of Tourism Region IX meanwhile provided furtherbthat the TUPAD program is in lieu of DOT and DOLE’s Joint Memorandum Circular 2020-001 which aims to provide emergency employment to displaced informal workers working in the tourism industry. She said, “We actually know that the Tourism industry was the hardest hit not only in Isabela City but in the entire country. That is why, I am glad that the national government gave financial assistance for our beneficiaries especially to our displaced tourism workers”.

Abubakar also lauded the hardwork and efforts raised by the city in coming up with programs intended to sustain tourism, one of the identified top priority agenda of this administration amid this pandemic. This is through the efforts of the City Tourism Office led by City Tourism Officer Claudio Ramos II, Abubakar said.

Atty. Roy L. Buenafe on the otherhand called every Isabelenos to observe the Bayanihan spirit. He said that the services offered by their office are part of their mandate and responsibilities as public servants and they will continue to serve and offer employment aid to help Filipinos who are in need especially those displaced and disadvantaged.

Meanwhile, plans for DOLE’s Nego-Kart (Negosyo sa Kariton) and Nego Stalls in Isabela City are planned to pushed through 1st quarter next year, said Buenafe.