A TOTAL of 130 businesses in Northern Mindanao have permanently shut down their operations due to the pandemic as of January 18, 2021, the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) reported.

Neda-Northern Mindanao Assistant Director Leonila Cajarte said the closure of these establishments affected 1,632 workers.

Of the 130 businesses, 87 (67 percent) were in Cagayan de Oro, with 973 workers affected.

On the other hand, 1,458 establishments have temporarily closed, affecting 32,534 employees. Of the figure, 729 were from Cagayan de Oro with almost 16,000 workers affected.

"Mapasalamaton kita sa atong mga establishments dinhi sa Cagayan de Oro City kay sila naningkamot gyud pagpatuman sa pag-implement og flexible working arrangements para lang gyud maghatag og higayon nga makatrabaho ang atong mga workers," Cajarte said.

She added that a total of 1,204 establishments in Cagayan de Oro incorporated flexible working arrangements with almost 35,000 employees affected.

"Nalipay kita kay inspite sa pandemic, nagpadayon ang ilang trabaho," Cajarte said.

A total of 633 businesses have reduced their workforce, affecting 9,782 workers. Of the figure, 334 were from Cagayan de Oro with almost 4,000 employees affected.

The Neda assistant regional director reported a projection of 4.5 to 10.5 percent decline in terms of gross regional domestic product in Northern Mindanao in 2020.

"For tourism alone, initial estimates of until November 2020 nga mokabat sa P4.7 billion," Cajarte said.

"Nasayod man kita nga most of those affected establishments and workers are those of the tourism industry in the region," she added.

Neda-Northern Mindanao also recognized the involvement of the private sector as an active member in the recovery cluster of the region.