Limketkai hotel loses P4m during first week of martial law

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

THE general manager of Limketkai center on Wednesday claimed that Luxe Hotel already lost some P4 million due to cancelled bookings om just one week after the May 23 declaration of the Mindanao martial law.

“It’s very alarming for us. After President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law… automatic… we had all the cancellations,” said Jerome dela Fuente.

He said those who cancelled bookings were from Metro Manila and neighboring areas.

Dela Fuente said he is saddened because the local business sector have been inviting investments to the city through the “Captivating Cagayan de Oro” program “and now, it’s totally gone.”

He said the city also stands to lose the July 10th Asean Ministerial Meeting.

Because of the Mindanao situation, he said, all foreign affairs activities would be held in Metro Manila.

He said the damage has been done and even if President Duterte lifts his martial law declaration after 20 days or limits it only to strife-torn Marawi City, they would not be able to recover immediately.

Dela Fuente said, “Every day, we are getting cancellations. The hope is that we will recover, but I don’t think so.”

He said he was also worried that the city would lose the Philippine Air Lines-Inter golf Tournament later this year.

Another big golf tournament scheduled in the city is hanging in the balance. “We are still waiting clearance from the sponsors… whether or not that is pushing through.”

Dela Fuente said the Marawi crisis has had a domino effect in the city and elsewhere in Mindanao.

He said the news media can help by focusing on the positive effects and the “nice things” here.

“We need to draw. It is more of a tactical communication campaign. We need to let people come back and have the confidence. If we look at Cagayan de Oro, it’s business as usual, and if we look at the streets, there is no martial law,” he said.