With tourism down, Palawan looks at other industries as it reopens on May 16

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—The provincial government of Palawan would turn to other industries to keep the province’s economy alive as tourism, which contributed more than one-third of revenue, faced an uncertain future because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Jose Chaves Alvarez on Wednesday (May 13) said the projected 1 million tourist arrivals in the island province was not likely to happen because of the pandemic.

Alvarez said he would tap mining, fishing, agriculture and other industries to revive the province’s economy when Palawan starts to transition to a new normal on May 16 when enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is lifted as announced by Malacanang last Tuesday (May 12).

He said his connections may aid in restarting the economy in the province, globally known as a tourist haven. Tourism contributed at least 36 percent to the province’s gross domestic product.

Last Monday (May 11), the provincial information office in Palawan issued a statement that two mining companies in southern Palawan had donated around P30.2 million to the provincial government for its fight against SARS Cov2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Edited by TSB