Industry players seek gov’t action: Flooding negates efforts to boost tourism, business

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu tourism sector is calling for government intervention on the flooding problems of Cebu as it slowly takes toll on the industry.

"The government should do something about this now. More hotels, condos, and commercial buildings are popping up, and I don’t think the government has put in serious consideration the effect of this to our drainage system," said Hotel, Resorts, and Restaurant Association of Cebu president Cenelyn Manguilimotan.

Manguilimotan said HRRAC will soon make its formal position paper to call the government for immediate action on this, as it has become a serious threat, not only to the tourism sector, but to Cebu metropolis as a whole.

"This (flooding) will have a negative impact to our tourism. I don’t think it’s fun enduring the crazy traffic caused by floods and it hampers tourists mobility, " added Manguilimotan.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ma. Teresa Chan likewise said that flooding in Cebu should be treated as a warning or wake-up call for the government to do its job in providing solutions to problems brought about by fast growth and urbanization.

"Since we highlight experience--More Fun in the Philippines, constant flooding will definitely negate both public and private tourism efforts. Unless we can create a spin to make flooding experience as fun," Chan stressed.

Chan said that focus and cooperation among authorities in Metro Cebu as well as all Cebuanos to address this has become imperative.

CCCI chairperson for tourism committee Milagros Espina also said that flooding in Cebu has not only threaten the tourism industry, but practically all sectors in Cebu.

"It means interruption of business, schools, and government services. No tourist would like to tour in flooded traffics, seeing garbage eyesores and helpless victims. The City and Province of Cebu should map out more sustainable plans to hurdle natural calamities to include--traffic flow especially in flooded areas," Espina said.

Last week, Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph expressed the same sentiment saying constant flooding in Cebu could drive away investors and even tourists.

"People will start staying away from Cebu. If Cebu can only offer either traffic and flooding, what's the attraction," Joseph said.

"The cause of flooding in Cebu had been identified already. I hope the Cebu City council will act on it. We will help them on the technical side. If they don’t help—we can only raise our voices. These concerns which need immediate action needs push by the local government units, " said Joseph.

The constant flooding in major business areas in Cebu, whenever it rains has already caused an alarm, not only for the Cebuano residents, but also outsiders who may have plans to invest in Cebu, or those who may want to visit Cebu as tourists. (FREEMAN)