The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Eastern Visayas has endorsed the application for financial assistance of 7,406 workers in the tourism sector displaced by coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

As of Dec. 29, the DOT has already endorsed PHP37.03 million worth of assistance to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the lead implementor of Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP).

“As soon as DOLE processes their application, the national government sends the amount to beneficiaries via money remittance centers. We still have to receive updates from DOLE. Some applications were disapproved since some beneficiaries have already received livelihood grants from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Social Security System,” DOT Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said in a phone interview on Monday.

Of the total number of endorsed beneficiaries, 4,130 are employed by 325 tourism establishments while 3,276 are workers of 74 community-based tourism organizations.

The tourism department reiterated its call to 14,000 workers in the tourism sector displaced by the health crisis to avail of the assistance program from the national government.

For Eastern Visayas, the government has set aside PHP74.19 million for hotel staff, restaurant crew, resort workers, travel agency personnel, souvenir shops employees, tour guides, catering services crew, among others.

The DOT posted the program guidelines and a detailed application flow to make potential beneficiaries fully aware of how to avail of the cash aid.

“Please find time to do this for your employees and members. Let us help tide them (over) during this season of sharing and thanksgiving,” she added.

Affected workers are encouraged to contact the DOT regional office, local tourism officers, and local public employment services officers for clarifications and online application assistance. (PNA)