In this time of COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry is one of those badly hit. But may I focus on local tourism. Why local tourism? Local tourism has many stakeholders. These stakeholders’ livelihood depends on the number of tourists in their locality. Hence, I can say that the local tourism is the prime mover of  local economy.
People in a certain community are the first to benefit when local tourism thrives. They are also the first to suffer during calamities, disasters, and this time of pandemic wherein their economic situation is in a very bad state. Their livelihood is affected and they can’t even eat a full square meal a day. Whereas life before pandemic, tourism business was flourishing. Vendors selling peanuts, ice cream and other food stuff, and tricycle and trisikad drivers had no problem earning a living for their families.
Apropos, it is a must that our national government should focus on how local tourism will survive this pandemic vis-à-vis not to sacrifice the health of the people which is also equally important. An urgent call for a win-win solution mechanism must be encouraged and worked on. We cannot afford to sacrifice the health of everybody and we cannot also afford to see our brethren in the tourism industry get hungry. The government must find solutions and should balance everything so that all of us can survive in these trying times.
Filipinos have the tenacity to survive any trials with the help of our God Almighty. After more than a year since the  COVID-19 pandemic started, we have survived in whatever means. We saw and experienced the bayanihan spirit of the Filipinos – one of the values we inherit from our ancestors that was carried out until today. The community pantry is one example of how Filipinos help each other in times of need./WDJ