President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers a speech during the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on January 21, 2020. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Duterte likewise asked the public to explore the Philippines first before traveling abroad, especially now that hotels and airlines have lowered their rate to attract more tourists amid the COVID-19 threat. In a press briefing in Malacañang Friday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the Department of Tourism estimated P42.9 billion in foregone revenue up to April this year because of concerns about the virus. However, the figure was “just a fraction” compared to the annual inbound tourism revenue of P441 billion in 2018 and P458 billion in the first 11 months of 2019.
“There are available government lending programs offered by Landbank and the Development Bank of the Philippines. Land Bank offers the CARES Program or Calamity Support Program, which includes rehabilitation via loan restructuring and providing loans to SMEs ,” he said.
Sacrificing his own health.