‘Puerto Galera tourism losses to hit P5.3 million daily’

MANILA, Philippines — Puerto Galera will lose P5.3 million per day if the island is closed to tourists due to the oil spill from the sunken tanker Princess Empress, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The DOT said around 11,000 tourism workers and 139 DOT-accredited businesses would be displaced.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources had earlier reported that only nine of the 35 water sampling stations in Puerto Galera passed the DENR’s criteria for water quality on oil and grease.

The DENR and Department of Health (DOH) warned the public against doing activities in areas where oil and grease were detected.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco clarified that there is no ban on swimming and other recreational activities in Puerto Galera despite the joint statement issued by the DENR and DOH.

“Our perception of this joint statement is that Puerto Galera tourism continues to be open...There has been no direct attribution in terms of the direct source of the findings, considering the presence of other human and economic activities in Puerto Galera,” she said.

The DOT said Puerto Galera contributes 85 percent of tourism income in the entire province of Oriental Mindoro.

During peak seasons, the island had earned more than P1.2 billion.

Last year, 56,194 foreigners visisted the town, resulting in tourism revenues of more than P590 million. – Alexis Romero