Tourism infra takes a back seat

It’s just a matter of time before the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2 becomes a law.

Bayanihan 2, which lays out the country’s COVID-19 response and recovery plan, and allocates funds to help struggling sectors cope with the impact of the pandemic, only needs the President’s signature.

This, after the House of Representatives and Senate  both ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the provisions of the measure.

One of the disagreements on the provisions prior to the bicameral report involved funds for the tourism industry. The Lower House had wanted P10 billion to be set aside for tourism infrastructure through the TIEZA. The Senate version prevailed so that of the P10 billion for the tourism industry, P6 billion will be earmarked for soft loans for MSMEs in the tourism sector, P3 billion will be given to the DOLE for displaced tourism workers, and only P1 billion will be turned over to the DPWH for tourism infrastructure.

Why did tourism infrastructure take a back seat in the bicameral conference committee report?

Some say that there are those who still believe that tourism infrastructure only refers to public toilets or beautification projects, or that tourism is about selling or marketing  tourist sites and products. Tourism infrastructure, however, involves much more. Its presence or absence can mean the success or failure of a municipality, city, or province.

Take the case of Boracay. For a long time it lacked adequate investments in infrastructure, such as drainage systems and sewage treatment facilities,turning  its used water into a cesspool. If not for the President’s decisiveness in rehabilitating Boracay, things could have turned from bad to worse.

On the other side of the spectrum is the province of Iloilo, which largely benefited from infrastructure investments to boost its tourism prospects.

Sen. Franklin Drilon is said to have been the one who pushed for major infrastructure projects in Iloilo, including the convention center which had a price tag of P800 million, the P8.8-billion international airport, and the Iloilo River Esplanade, among others.

Then earlier this year, the Department of Tourism – through infrastructure arm TIEZA – allocated P347.5 million for tourism infrastructure projects in Iloilo, which include the restoration of three landmarks, namely, Arevalo Plaza, Molo Plaza, and La Paz Plaza, as well as the rehabilitation of the historical Jaro Belfry, the construction of a Tourism Information Center and Tourist Rest Area (Green Restroom) in Esplanade 3, improvements for the convention center, and the development of the Sunburst Park.

Proof that tourism infrastructure can provide immediate benefits is shown by the increase in visitor arrivals in Iloilo City following the completion of its convention center. From 627,000 visitors in 2013, arrivals in the city doubled to 1.24 million in 2018.

Not so hidden agenda

STP INAUGURATION: The solar-powered sewerage treatment plant beside the Manila Yacht Club was inaugurated recently with unveiling of the historical marker. Fr. Efren Tawagan (left) officiated the blessing ceremony with MYC Commodore and Rotary Club of Manila president Robert Lim Joseph, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu, MMDA chair Danilo Lim, and RCM immediate past president Jackie Rodriquez witnessing the event. The STP has a capacity of 500,000 liters of dirty water from the outfalls of Remedios, Padre Faura and Estero de San Antonio Abad, so that only clean water will reach the Manila Bay.

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