Hundreds of Boracay hotel workers may lose jobs with shutdown | ABS-CBN
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Hundreds of Boracay hotel workers may lose jobs with shutdown
Hundreds of Boracay hotel workers may lose jobs with shutdown
Katrina Domingo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 06, 2018 10:55 AM PHT
MANILA - Hundreds of hotel workers in Boracay could lose their jobs with the six-month closure of the island that starts on April 26, one industry group said.
MANILA - Hundreds of hotel workers in Boracay could lose their jobs with the six-month closure of the island that starts on April 26, one industry group said.
Twelve "large" hotels may lay off at least 50 workers each, mostly front desk officers and chefs, who are unlikely to take on alternative jobs during the cleanup, said Organization of Hotel Sales and Marketing Professionals president Christine Ibarreta.
Twelve "large" hotels may lay off at least 50 workers each, mostly front desk officers and chefs, who are unlikely to take on alternative jobs during the cleanup, said Organization of Hotel Sales and Marketing Professionals president Christine Ibarreta.
"Do you expect a front office manager na mag-pala or mag-ayos ng CR? 'Yung mga chefs they'll look for jobs in other areas," she said.
"Do you expect a front office manager na mag-pala or mag-ayos ng CR? 'Yung mga chefs they'll look for jobs in other areas," she said.
(Do you expect a front office manager to shovel or fix the restroom? The chefs, they'll look for jobs in other areas.)
(Do you expect a front office manager to shovel or fix the restroom? The chefs, they'll look for jobs in other areas.)
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About 414 other hotels and resorts not registered with OHSMP are also expected to cut manpower, she said.
About 414 other hotels and resorts not registered with OHSMP are also expected to cut manpower, she said.
President Rodrigo Duterte approved the plan to rehabilitate Boracay this week. In February, he flagged massive pollution on the island, likening its effects to a "cesspool."
President Rodrigo Duterte approved the plan to rehabilitate Boracay this week. In February, he flagged massive pollution on the island, likening its effects to a "cesspool."
Ibarreta rejected Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo's claim that "many" big hotels were in favor of the closure and would use the lull in tourist arrivals to refurbish their facilities.
Ibarreta rejected Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo's claim that "many" big hotels were in favor of the closure and would use the lull in tourist arrivals to refurbish their facilities.
"You cannot say it's 6 months lang. Without guests and bookings, saan sila [hotels and resorts] kukuha ng pera for salaries and operating expenses?" Ibarreta said.
"You cannot say it's 6 months lang. Without guests and bookings, saan sila [hotels and resorts] kukuha ng pera for salaries and operating expenses?" Ibarreta said.
(You cannot say it's just for 6 months. Without guests and bookings, where will they get the money for salaries and operating expenses?)
(You cannot say it's just for 6 months. Without guests and bookings, where will they get the money for salaries and operating expenses?)
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"It's better for hotels to lay them off for the meantime, and just rehire them [when Boracay reopens]," she said.
"It's better for hotels to lay them off for the meantime, and just rehire them [when Boracay reopens]," she said.
Ibarreta and other tourism stakeholders in Boracay had appealed to Duterte to delay the 6-month rehabilitation to June after the island's peak season.
Ibarreta and other tourism stakeholders in Boracay had appealed to Duterte to delay the 6-month rehabilitation to June after the island's peak season.
Postponing the closure will give hotels ample time to rebook guests who reserved rooms in Boracay between April 26 and October.
Postponing the closure will give hotels ample time to rebook guests who reserved rooms in Boracay between April 26 and October.
The government should hold-off the closing period until workers are trained for clean-up and construction jobs, Ibarreta said.
The government should hold-off the closing period until workers are trained for clean-up and construction jobs, Ibarreta said.
Last month, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) urged the government to close down Boracay in phases, instead of implementing a total shut down.
Last month, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) urged the government to close down Boracay in phases, instead of implementing a total shut down.
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