A collective battle cryThese workers are just a small fraction of the estimated 4.8 million formal and informal tourism industry workers who have been affected by the various levels of community quarantines in the Philippines. The tourism industry employs 5.7 million people in 2019 and in the same year contributed 12.7% to the country’s overall gross domestic product. 6593 version, however, realigned the P10 billion fund to the infrastructure programs of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, which was initially allocated for the working capital loans of the tourism industry. 1564 approved on third and final reading allocates the P10 billion stimulus package for the tourism industry. They are once again seeking to reconsider the plight of the tourism workers citing that the intent of the legislation is to provide emergency relief and stimulus to restart the economy.

Source: Philippine Star August 19, 2020 23:26 UTC