Ang Pahayagan

The Department of Tourism Region 3 conducted the “Sharing the Gift of Love” gift giving program to provide humanitarian assistance in the Province of Aurora.

Initiated by the Tourism Regulation Division in collaboration with the Tourism Development Division-Gender and Development Section, spearheaded the donation drive to aid affected tourism workers from DOT Accredited Tourism Enterprises by the Super Typhoon Pepito in the municipalities of Baler, Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Dilasag and Casiguran.

Super Typhoon Pepito, the country’s 16th tropical cyclone this year made its second landfall in the Philippines on November 17, 2024 directly affecting Dipaculao, Aurora, and its neighboring areas, causing massive destruction in its wake, which had affected the lives and livelihood of the locals.

The DOT team met with Mr. Larry Ramirez, President of Dipaculao Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association (DHROA) to check the current situation in Dipaculao. He recounted the harrowing experience of winds and waves brought by the super typhoon which was an experience that he will never forget in his lifetime. However, he ends his story optimistic to rebuild and start once more, seeing tourism as a driving force to help not just his fellow affected tourism related enterprises but providing livelihood to locals who have lost their main source of income in the disaster.

The Department of Tourism Region – III was able to pool resources such as: food packs, hygiene kits, clean water, medicines and linens. With the help of the Provincial Tourism Office of Aurora, the team was able to extend help to tourism workers from DOT-Accredited Tourism-Related Enterprises affected by the recent calamity.

“It is through this act of kindness that we find the resiliency and strength through the hardships of life, and demonstrates the true meaning of community, highlighting the values of what makes us Filipino,” stated in a DOT-3 social media post.