BALER, Aurora (PIA) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the government’s commitment to support disaster-hit families and workers, particularly in the tourism sector, as he led the distribution of emergency aid in Aurora.
The Chief Executive personally oversaw the payout of Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) to 1,197 tourism workers under the Bayanihan sa Bukas na May Pag-asa para sa Turismo (BBMT) program, a joint initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Marcos said the BBMT program is designed to provide immediate relief while helping restore sustainable livelihoods for workers whose jobs were disrupted by calamities.
“In Aurora, matutulungan natin ang halos dalawang libong manggagawa sa sektor ng turismo na naapektuhan ng kalamidad. Bawat isa ay makatatanggap ng ECT at mga pagsasanay na nagkakahalaga ng tig-iisang libong piso,” the President said in his speech.
Aurora’s tourism industry was among the hardest hit by Typhoon Nika and Super Typhoons Ofel and Pepito in November 2024, leaving many workers without income. To aid recovery, each beneficiary received ₱11,250 in unconditional cash support intended to restore livelihoods and revive local tourism activities.
“Asahan po ninyo—kahit saang sektor kayo sa ating lipunan, anuman ang inyong trabaho o hanapbuhay—kapag kayo ay tinamaan ng sakuna, nandito ang inyong pamahalaan upang alalayan kayo at tulungan kayong makabangon,” the President assured.
Among the beneficiaries was Margie Ramil from Dilasag, who said the assistance would help her family repair storm-damaged property and regain stability. “We’re very happy because the last typhoon destroyed our roof. We are thankful to the President for helping us recover, and we hope he continues to support and encourage the growth of our tourism industry,” she said.
Following the Baler kickoff, the DSWD and DOT will conduct simultaneous payouts in other municipalities of Aurora, in coordination with local government units, to ensure orderly distribution of aid.
The administration emphasized that strengthening Aurora’s tourism sector is part of a wider national strategy to rebuild local economies, safeguard jobs, and advance the country’s overall tourism recovery.
With reports from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
