COVID-19 casualty: 4,500 jobs erased in Northern Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—More than 4,500 workers in Northern Mindanao permanently lost their jobs as the coronavirus health crisis forced many businesses in the region to either close or downsize operations.

Data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) showed that as of July 20, 35 establishments have closed shop and terminated the services of at least 663 workers. Nine companies are in the tourism industry.

Of the 35 firms, 23 are located in Cagayan de Oro, the region’s main economic hub.

At least 272 other companies have downsized and retrenched a total of 3,872 workers.

Most of the retrenchment come from the tourism industry, 2,516 workers from 181 firms. The rest are from construction (606 workers), wholesale and retail (523 workers) and manufacturing (227 workers).

The closure and downsizing of the businesses come as quarantine restrictions were already eased throughout the region.

As of July 1, Northern Mindanao is on modified general community quarantine, although local governments continue to impose tougher restrictions being allowed by the national government.

During the lockdowns in April and May, at least 182,412 workers employed in 10,433 firms throughout Northern Mindanao had been temporarily displaced.

TSB