By JASON VERZOLA
www.nordis.net

Mayor Benjamin Magalong said in a recent statement that “businesses have already lost millions of pesos due to the drop in visitors in the City” caused by soaring fuel prices. This was covered by several online media outlets and has sparked many reactions on social media. But there are some things we need to answer and clarify regarding his statement. 

These “businesses” that are actually losing millions of pesos are the big hotels and event venues, like the five-star Baguio Country Club. Maybe the big restaurant chains are also losing profits due to the declining number of tourists with purchasing power. I doubt the big mall in the city center’s hill is losing profit, as social media clearly reports it is still crowded this Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. 

On the other hand, amid the socio-economic crises, local residents and long-term transients continue to patronize local medium-, small-, and micro-enterprises such as carinderias, stalls in the public market, printing and photocopying shops, laundry services, local transportation, and small apartment owners. At the same time, these MSMEs strive to continue giving their services. We must note that they comprise more than 90% of Baguio’s businesses and more than 60% of its workforce. 

We must ask why our beloved mayor chose to highlight the “businesses losing millions of pesos” rather than the dire situation of local residents, especially our commuters and transportation workers, who are directly affected by this crisis. 

We saw many opposing points of view on social media. Baguio residents are expressing their delight, for at last we can enjoy peace in our city. Some have taken offense at these remarks. We are not merely throwing anger at the tourists per se, but at the system that has enabled the gradual decay of our beloved city. 

Our local economy should already have moved away from overreliance on large-scale commercial tourism. Indeed, there is a real need for support for those economically affected by the drop in tourist numbers. Transient houses must shift their services to the students and workers, the long-term transients who are scrambling for affordable housing amidst the intensely high rentals. The local government must rechannel its funds and efforts into commercial tourism to support local livelihoods, including urban agriculture, food processing, MSMEs, and local transportation. 

We are expecting that the US-Israel war on Iran will be prolonged, and so is the socio-economic crisis we are facing. The City must uphold its main lesson during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local economy first before commercial tourism. People first before profit. #nordis.net

The author is an indigenous rights and cultural activist dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage and advancing social equity. A graduate of the Bachelor of Music major in Musicology from the University of the Philippines Diliman, his work focuses on advocating for the socio-economic rights of local communities and promoting indigenous knowledge.