Local holidays will play a key role in reviving and bolstering the country’s economic growth, three years after it was badly hit by the global COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Francis Tolentino said.
The senator issued his during Tuesday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government over several pending local holiday bills.
He spelled out the gains of a ‘non working’ holiday scheme during a celebration or commemoration of specific local holiday especially in a post-pandemic era.
“The reason being is that, there is really no detrimental effects to the local economy because the celebration of a holiday in an LGU (local government unit) would support two premises—one, it fosters local autonomy; and two, it bolsters economy,” Tolentino clarified.
According to him, reversing the economic trend on non-working holidays is “needed in a post pandemic Philippines to further stimulate the tourism industry which is now heavily needed by every local economy.”
Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government during the 18th Congress, stressed that any effect that would be imposed on an employer by paying “double salary” to their personnel, “can be compensated by the upsurge of economic activities.”
“It can be countered by the presence of local tourists spending and spending, and it all goes well for the post-pandemic society that we are entering right now,” he said.
“For instance in Kalibo, there will be more boat operators, there will be more restaurant owners opening their shops, and there will be more waiters, there will be more souvenir craft vendors—these will all be compensated and the day the economic upsurge is not just on the day itself, but even three days before there will be pre-Kalibo,” Tolentino noted.
He also cited more flights to Kalibo during pre-Kalibo holiday events: concerts, more soft drinks to be delivered, and more ice to be manufactured.
“Whatever extra compensation that would be made by the employers during local holidays can be recompensed by the above-mentioned economic activities,” he said.