Coronavirus Lockdown: Revenge Travel, Don't Panic, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government.

One of the methods to help the nation recover from the economically crippling lockdown imposed by the Duterte government was to give to loans to small businesses. This plan has not worked as it should.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/12/villafuerte-frowns-over-slow-uptake-of-covid-loans-by-tourism-related-msmes/

Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte has highlighted the sluggish uptake of supposedly easy loans by Covid-hit travel and tourism-related micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the height of the pandemic, as reported by the Small Business Corp. (SBCorp).

Villafuerte, a principal author of both the Bayanihan 1and Bayanihan 2 laws, said this revelation has “confirmed the view by certain legislators like him in the previous Congress that the last-minute diversion to this bailout package of the amount originally intended under the House-approved Bayanihan 2 to build job-intensive tourism infrastructure nationwide had undermined government efforts to create jobs in, and quicken the recovery of, our once booming tourism sector”.

The veteran solon was referring to the previous 18th Congress when these Covid-response measures were legislated. He was the deputy speaker for finance at that time.

The SBCorp revelation hits a sore spot for Villafuerte since he was among those who aggressively pushed for infusing the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) with P10 billion for infrastructure spending.

He had argued that such funding would create jobs for dislocated workers in the tourism sector during at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic while at the same time improving facilities leading to tourist sites while the nation was still on lockdown.

“But this infra spending plan for TIEZA was subsequently hijacked as the House-approved tourism infra budget proposal of P10 billion was realigned during the bicam (bicameral conference committee negotiations on the then-Bayanihan 2 bill), all because of the vigorous lobbying among senators for the fund diversion by DOT [officials] in tandem with big-time (tourism) industry players,” Villafuerte, now the president of the National Unity Party (NUP), said. 

In a December news release, the SBCorp disclosed that of the P7.93 billion released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for zero-interest, no-collateral loans for all MSMEs devastated by the Covid-driven global health and economic crises, P4 billion was allotted for travel and tourism-related loans under the “CARES for TRAVEL” component of Bayanihan 2’s rescue package for MSMEs in the trading, manufacturing, services, agriculture, tourism, and other business sectors.

CARES for TRAVEL stands for Covid-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises-Tourism Rehabilitation and Vitalization of Enterprises and Livelihood.

“Unfortunately, uptake of tourism loans was and remains sluggish. As of December 2022, only the amount allotted for tourism MSMEs remains from the original DBM disbursement,” the SBCorp said in the news release. “As of 30 November 2022, only P329 million-worth of loans to 735 tourism enterprises have been released by the Corporation,” it added.

And because of this low loan uptake, SBCorp bared plans to make this unused portion originally meant for tourism-related enterprises available to MSMEs in other sectors beginning this January.

Media reports have traced the low number of loan releases to tourism enterprises and other MSMEs to the following reasons: 1) the tedious requirements imposed on loan processing, which led to the rejection of many applicant-borrowers; and 2) the high service fee of 4 percent to 8 percent imposed by SBCorp.

“The CARES loans were interest-free and collateral-free, but the steep service fee cancelled out the fact that the financial aid was offered at zero interest,” Villafuerte said. “This had apparently turned off or scared away many prospective borrowers who were wondering how they would be able to pay back such loans when their establishments were still closed because of the community lockdowns and travel restrictions.” 

Under CARES, Covid-hit MSMEs could apply for loans from P10,000 to P5 million each at zero interest and no collateral requirement. 

Looks like a lot of red tape is stopping what would otherwise be a quick road to recovery for many businesses which were destroyed by the Duterte's lockdowns. That is ironic as Duterte claimed to want to cut all the read tape by signing the ease of doing business law and the establishment of the anti-red tape authority.

Aside from small businesses one law maker is looking to help the film industry recover from the pandemic.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192952

Pangasinan 4th District Representative Christopher De Venecia, House Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts chair, is planning to refile a measure that would aid the film and events industries in recovering from revenue losses due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic through the grant of tax exemptions and subsidies.

De Venecia made the commitment on Tuesday during the panel's hearing on House Resolution 451, assessing the plight of Philippine Cinema, with the intention of promoting more film productions to generate employment and reviving its renaissance and golden era.

"We're waiting on some data points from some of our resource persons that were committed this morning to be able to guide us in crafting the necessary bill that we are going to file that would help the industry in terms of reducing some of the taxation," De Venecia said.

He particularly noted the plan to refile the proposed “Film and Live Events Recovery Act,” which would provide for an additional two years of tax holiday and reduction of amusement tax from 10 to 5 percent.

"In terms of the amusement tax, right now it is at 10 percent. It is not being charged by all of the LGUs (local government units). Thankfully, that is a prerogative. So we are refiling the bill for a tax holiday for additional two years and reducing it to 5 percent," he said.

Committee vice-chair and Leyte 4th district Representative Richard Gomez also stressed the need to provide more incentives for the country's film producers considering that the industry is "burdened with so much taxes".

"The basic gist is to make it cheaper and more affordable for film producers to make more films," Gomez, an actor, said.

The proposed measure also suspends for two years the power of local government to levy an amusement tax as provided under RA 7160.

The measure seeks to exempt from payment of amusement tax all locally-produced operas, concerts, dramas, musical plays, recitals, painting and art exhibitions, flower shows, musical programs, literary and oratorical presentations and local film productions so long as Filipinos own at least 10 percent equity of such local entertainment productions.

The panel also discussed ways to boost the industry by advancing programs that provide assistance to its workers, as well as reinforcing policies that promote their welfare.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Competitiveness Bureau Assistant Director Jo-Dann Darong said among the challenges of Philippine Cinema the past three years were the constrained movie production process and the hampered performance of the Metro Manila Film Festival due to lockdowns.

He, however, noted that the pandemic gave elbow room for market expansion through digital platforms.

If it will cost less money to make films will they spend that money on making quality films? 

The DOT doesn't merely want people to travel. They want people to "revenge travel."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192545

The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Thursday welcomed the inclusion of Eastern Visayas region among the top local and international destinations recommended for “revenge travel” this 2023, saying the listing will raise interest among tourists to explore the area including its natural wonders.

“This is something that we need to celebrate because this represents the hard work of every stakeholder in the region. We are the only place mentioned as a region, which means they see a lot of hidden places and activities that await people to experience,” DOT Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

She said they were “surprised” to see the region in the list of sites recommended by travel experts and influencers as published by the Philippine Star’s Life magazine.

In the listing, Angel Juarez of Lakwatsero.com, urged travelers “not to look far to go on adventures this year” for their “revenge travel” after staying at home in the past two years due to pandemic.

“(On) top of mind is Eastern Visayas comprising of Samar Provinces, Leyte Provinces, and Biliran. It is a region frequently visited by devastating typhoons that also rely on tourism, so your visit will surely help locals rebuild and recover. Unknown to many, the region is home to diverse natural wonders! Bask in Kalanggaman Island of Leyte, explore the waterfalls of Biliran, or discover the beautiful caves of Samar. These and more surprises await in Eastern Visayas!” the travel influencer said.

Tiopes said the statement from industry expert is big boost to the tourism promotion efforts, but this will also require “heavier responsibility” to meet their expectations.

“We will make sure that if tourists are here, we offer the best experience because when they return home, they will be champions in promoting our sites,” she said.

Who are people getting revenge on by traveling after being forced to stay at home for two years? It's not the virus. It's the government. But how is traveling getting revenge on the government? It's not and this phrase is stupid is a denial that it is the Philippine government who shut down everything which destroyed the economy. 

It is now three years on and local festivals continue to be reinstated which is proof that normalcy has arrived.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192713

The return of the Bacolaodiat Festival, this city’s grand Chinese New Year celebration, from Jan. 20 to 22 indicates the continuing “new normal” amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, local officials and organizers said on Friday.

This will be the first time the festival will be celebrated face-to-face after a two-year respite in 2021 and 2022 due to mass gathering restrictions brought by the global health crisis.

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he hopes this year’s Chinese New Year celebration will be the start of the better years to come for Bacolod.

“I’m hoping that this celebration after two years, will bring back the confidence of the people to start living and doing their normal chores. Worldwide, we’ve been going back to our normal activities,” Benitez said in a press conference with officials of Bacolaodiat Inc., the festival organizer, at the Government Center here.

The mayor hopes this festival "will bring back the confidence of the people to start living and doing their normal chores?" What does that even mean? People have been "living and doing their normal chores" for a long time now. It's only the government which has tried to prevent that from happening by implementing a devastating lockdown and imposing stultifying health protocols. 

Iloilo hopes their local festival will hasten economic recovery.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192705

This year’s Dinagyang Festival is expected to spur various economic activities in the province and the city of Iloilo as performances and minor events have been restored after two years of pandemic restriction, the City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO) said Friday.

“The festival has a huge impact in terms of economic recovery because it helps not just one aspect, but a lot, including transportation. It will be favorable to small vendors, the pasalubong industry, and those into producing locally-made products,” said CTDO head Junel Ann Divinagracia in an interview.

With just over a week before the staging of the major events on Jan. 20 to 22, she noted that preparations are almost similar to the pre-pandemic period.

“With the way things are going, with the bookings, we can almost say that it is back to pre-pandemic,” she said.

Kabankalan is celebrating the return of Sinulog after a two-year absence. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1716879/sinulog-sa-kabankalan-returns-after-two-year-absence

After a two-year absence, the Sinulog sa Kabankalan, one of the Filipino celebrations honoring the Santo Niño, was held on Sunday, Jan. 15

According to Kabankalan Mayor Benjie Miranda, many people from different localities in Negros Island and other provinces would want to witness the festival.

“After being forced to stay at home due to COVID-19 restrictions, I am sure that devotees of Santo Niño are excited to come and celebrate with us this year. We prepared so much to give a grander comeback despite the budget cuts the city faced this year. But we make sure that all participating groups have enough budget to stage a bigger Sinulog sa Kabankalan” he said.

According to Miranda, this year’s Sinulog is more “localized” and “culturally grounded” to the native culture of Kabankalan which is rooted in the indigenous people living in the city who ruled the place before colonial occupation.

While we have been told many times that we are now in the new normal it's the resumption of these festivals that makes it a reality. 

Everyone knows China has been lying about their COVID statistics but now there is solid proof. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1717204/be-prepared-dont-panic-ph-told-as-china-bares-covid-numbers

Over the weekend, China lifted the curtain on its COVID nightmare, reporting at least 60,000 COVID deaths since it dropped its zero-COVID policy last December.

The key disclosure raised one question for the Philippines—should we worry?

Following global criticism of China’s lack of transparency on COVID, Jiao Yahui, head of the Bureau of Medical Administration of China’s National Health Commission (NHC), said at a media briefing that the number of COVID deaths in Chinese hospitals totaled 59,938 between December 8, 2022 and January 12, 2023.

Of the total deaths recorded, Yahui said 5,503 were caused by respiratory failure due to COVID, and the remainder resulted from a combination of COVID and other diseases.

The figures were higher than the 5,000 deaths previously reported by China since the pandemic began—one of the lowest death rates in the world.

When asked whether the Philippines should worry about China’s recent disclosure, Leachon said the country should not panic. However, he stressed that the government and the public should be prepared.

“We are in a better position now than before, but the virus is still out there, which can cause problems,” Leachon told INQUIRER.net.

The Department of Health (DOH), which had previously noted that there was no need to close its borders for travelers from China, had already ordered intensified monitoring and implementation of border control measures for travelers from China entering the country.

Has anyone really been panicked? In the past three years it seems only the DOH and the government has been in panic mode.

Positivity rates are low in Manila and 10 Luzon provinces.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/16/metro-manila-10-luzon-provinces-now-seeing-low-covid-19-positivity-rate-says-octa/

The OCTA Research said that the Covid-19 positivity rates in Metro Manila and 10 provinces in Luzon have dipped to “low” levels on Jan. 14.

In an update posted on social media on Monday, Jan. 16, OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said the Covid-19 positivity rate in Metro Manila dropped from 5.8 percent on Jan. 7 to 3.7 percent on Jan. 14. 

He noted that the 3.7 percent positivity rate is considered “low,” according to OCTA’s metrics.

David pointed out that low positivity rates were also observed in 10 provinces in Luzon. 

Overall the DOH says COVID cases are plateauing. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1717945/doh-exec-for-now-our-covid-19-cases-are-plateauing

“For now, our COVID-19 cases are plateauing,” according to Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, even if hospital admissions due to the coronavirus slightly increased in some areas.

In an interview with TeleRadyo’s program Sakto, Vergeire explained: "For now, our COVID-19 cases are plateauing, it is going down, [but] we have a few areas being monitored where COVID-19 admissions are increasing a little."

She noted that the rise in COVID-19 hospital admissions in some areas is only due to the fewer number of allocated beds for coronavirus patients. She then assured the public that the positivity rate in most areas continues to go down.

“So generally our situation is manageable. Positivity rate has also decreased in most of the areas of the country as well as nationally,” Vergeire said.

But none of that matters because the pandemic is here to stay forever. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1717810/doh-restrictions-stay-even-with-pandemic-end

Current COVID-19 health protocols in the Philippines will remain in place should the World Health Organization(WHO) soon declare an end to the global health emergency phase of the coronavirus.

Department of Health (DOH) officer in charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Tuesday that safeguards against the further spread of the virus should be maintained to ensure that the population remains protected.

“Even [if] the public health emergency will be lifted, we know that the virus is here to stay,” she said in a press briefing. “So the Philippines will continue to be cautious and vigilant and we will still be imposing the same restrictions.”

Vergeire said such lifting of the global emergency status on COVID-19, if it will happen, would mainly affect the country’s border controls, which have already been “gradually eased” in the past year.

But even with the more loosened border restrictions, the country’s healthcare system was able to “manage our COVID-19 cases,” she noted.

But despite the warnings, the DOH said no significant changes in the country’s COVID-19 cases have been noted since in-person gatherings during Christmas and the New Year, including other events and the daily crowding of commuters, resumed for the first time in two years.

Who benefits from these restrictions? Certainly not the public.