#OdettePH: Damage in Cebu province’s tourism industry initially pegged at P20M

The aftermath Typhoon Odette left in the upstream portions of Matutinao River in Badian, where tourists usually go for canyoneering. | Photo from Cebu Provincial Tourism Office

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Tourist sites and establishments in Cebu were not spared by the wrath of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai). 

Data from the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) showed that more than 100 tourist destinations, operators, accommodations, and other players in the tourism industry were affected by the typhoon. 

Based on the same data, total damage was pegged at around P20 million as of December 28, 2021. 

“Estimated damages from tourism businesses cover about 50-90 percent of the properties, taking away many jobs from the tourism sector,” the PTO stated in a separate post on social media. 

So far, PTO’s list covered tourism operations in the towns of Alcoy, Aloguinsan, Argao, Asturias, Badian, Balamban, Barili, Consolacion, Cordova, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Ronda, Oslob, Sogod, Tuburan, Catmon, San Francisco, , Borbon, Carmen Poro and San Francisco, and the cities of Bogo, Naga, Talisay, and Toledo. 

Assessment is still ongoing on other tourist establishments and destinations in Cebu province, the PTO added. 

Odette hit Cebu, particularly the central and southern portions of the province, on the evening of December 16. The entire island is still under a state of calamity.

Damage in infrastructure and agriculture is expected to reach hundreds of millions, or even billions. 

While all towns and cities that bore the brunt of the typhoon are now accessible, restoration works for power, water and telecommunications are still ongoing.

/bmjo

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