The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has formalized its partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Thursday (January 23) that aims to bolster response and early-recovery efforts for disaster-affected tourism workers across the country.

“The DSWD is proud to partner with the DOT to implement the Bayanihan sa Bukas na May Pag-asa sa Turismo (BBMT). This initiative will help support tourism workers affected by calamities, and are also under the Listahan 3,” the DSWD chief said in his speech during the agreement signing ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel Manila in Pasay City.

Under the partnership, the DSWD will assist in the implementation of the BBMT, a program led by the DOT that focuses on providing assistance and interventions to tourism workers whose sources of livelihood are affected and disrupted by natural disasters.

The DSWD will also tap its cash-for-work (CFW) and cash-for-training (CFT) as well as Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) to extend financial support to disaster-hit and vulnerable tourism workers.

For its part, the DOT will lead the provision of training programs and temporary employment to beneficiaries.

Secretary Gatchalian said the convergence of the DSWD and the DOT initiatives is envisioned to empower the tourism workforce, and their broader role in nation-building.

“Our workers power our tourism industry that brings in trillions worth into our national economy so social protection must be extended to them during times of disasters so they can get back on their feet the soonest,” the DSWD chief said in a post on X after the event.

The partnership was patterned after the assistance provided by the DSWD and the DOT to disaster-stricken tourism workers in Regions 11 – Davao Region and 12- Caraga last May 2024.

Secretary Gatchalian said the initiative which is now up for nationwide implementation concretizes both agencies’ shared vision of alleviating poverty through human capital investment.

“We are very excited that this partnership is a synergy of the DOT’s vision and our mandate in making sure that we are efficiently using government resources to reach as many communities and to help as many distinct communities there are in the country,” the DSWD chief pointed out.

DOT Secretary Frasco, in her message, said the tie-up manifests a whole-of-government approach, which is also aligned with the priority agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr that enjoins the whole country to protect local tourism workers amid the persisting threat of natural disaster and climate change.

The DOT chief said that while the initiative ensures that support is within reach of those in need, it also teaches the value of hard-work and self-sufficiency among beneficiaries.

“What this MOA signing will do is to ensure that our tourism workers will be included as a priority sector for financial intervention and livelihood training, so that even in the wake of disaster they can be capacitated to continue obtaining livelihood. Most importantly, that they can reclaim their lives through the dignity of work,” Secretary Frasco pointed out.

Joining the DSWD and DOT chiefs in the MOA signing were Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) and DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano.

The signing was also witnessed by Philippine Ambassador to Oman Raul S. Hernandez, DSWD-DRMG Director Michael Cristopher Mathay, and DOT Undersecretary Maria Rica Bueno. (LSJ)