Hundreds of tourism workers in Masbate who lost their livelihoods to Typhoon Opong received emergency cash assistance on Monday through the Bayanihan sa Bukas na May Pag-asa sa Turismo (BBMT) program, a joint initiative of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the distribution of Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) aid to 677 tourism workers during a ceremony at the Magallanes Coliseum in Masbate City, joined by Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Antonio Ernesto “Anton” Floirendo Lagdameo Jr., who represented President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Other officials present included Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Agriculture Undersecretary Engr. Roger Navarro, Masbate Governor Richard Kho, Vice Governor Fernando Talisic, Health Regional Director Dr. Rosa Maria Rempillo, and DOT Bicol Regional Director Herbie Aguas.

In her remarks, Frasco thanked Masbate’s tourism workers for their resilience and emphasized the importance of BBMT in helping disaster-affected communities rebuild.

“Nandito po tayo ngayon para sa pag-distribute ng Emergency Cash Transfer, kasali po ito sa programa ng DSWD at Department of Tourism na tinatawag na ‘Bayanihan sa Bukas na may Pag-asa sa Turismo’. Dahil alam naman po natin na sa turismo palaging may pag-asa,” she said. “Dahil po sa inyo, because of your service and hard work for the tourism industry, ay ang laking ambag po nito sa ating ekonomiya. Halos umabot na po sa 9% sa ating GDP ‘yung kontribusyon ng turismo, kasali po kayo diyan.”

Frasco added that the program reflects President Marcos Jr.’s compassionate leadership.
“‘Yung activity (BBMT) natin ngayon ay pagpapaalala po sa inyo na ‘yung inyong gobyerno, sa liderato ng ating Presidente Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., ay hindi lamang nandiyan sa panahon ng kasayahan… kundi usab sa panahon sa kalisod,” she said in a mix of Filipino and Bisaya.

Echoing the President’s message, SAP Lagdameo said the administration remains committed to sustained recovery assistance.
“Gustong ipaabot ni President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong lahat na andito talaga ang gobyerno para tumulong. Mabilis ang response, after ng bagyong Opong, andito siya agad, at ngayon nandito ulit kami para siguraduhin na tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang tulong,” Lagdameo said.

For his part, Secretary Gatchalian reaffirmed DSWD’s support for affected tourism workers.
“Lagi akong nire-remind ni Secretary Frasco na kayo (tourism workers) ang bumubuhay sa ekonomiya ng ating bansa. Kaya sa ganitong mga pagkakataon, sisiguraduhin namin na sa hanay ng DSWD at ng buong pamahalaan, katabi ninyo kami sa inyong pagbangon,” he said.

Governor Kho expressed gratitude to President Marcos and the Cabinet officials for their presence, saying, “Ito pong Emergency Cash Transfer ay hindi lang pagsuporta, kundi patunay na hindi tayo nakalimutan ng ating Pangulo, ng mga departamento, at ng ating gobyerno. Marami pang nasalanta ng bagyo sa bansa, pero naglaan sila ng oras para sa Masbate. Kaya po, mula po sa aming lahat — Dios Mabalos!”

Following the BBMT rollout, the officials conducted site inspections at the Masbate Center for Livestock Development, the Masbate Provincial Hospital, and local schools to monitor agricultural, health, and education recovery projects under the government’s whole-of-government approach to post-disaster rehabilitation.

Typhoon Opong, which struck the Bicol Region in September, displaced thousands of families and severely affected communities dependent on tourism and trade.

Frasco and Gatchalian previously led similar BBMT distributions in Davao Oriental and Aurora, signaling the administration’s continued support for tourism sector recovery nationwide.