Typhoon Paeng has dampened the spirit of the recent long weekend, shelving plans of going to places of interests by people on vacation. The four-day vacay was spent in homes instead and during the Undas, in cemeteries and memorial parks.
I recalled that during the reign of Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the country's President, there was this holiday economics. The said scheme was the adjustment of working days to move near holidays to make long weekends. The scheme was a big boost to tourism and the economy.
Long weekends make family bondings more frequent. They strenghten ties that bind parents, siblings and relatives who spend quality time together.
Further, they help promote local tourism that generate income. They help the economy through sales in tourists spots such as hotels and resorts. They promote local products to tourists, local and foreign alike.
The recent long weekend could have been a great chance for tourism boost. However, the hope for sunny days was dampened by the said weather disturbance. Even the Undas was somehow affected by the incessant rains although the All Saints Day activities was made a firm tradition for us Filipinos.
Speaking of the typhoon, "Paeng" has become more devastating than its predecessor, "Karding". The former has more casualties and damage to agriculture. Further, its onslaught was long lasting that even if it was exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility, its effects were still felt.
Mindanao has suffered the greatest blows. Landslides and flashfloods took some lives. The Bangsamoro region were caught flat-footed when continuous rains poured. The reason for these are the nude forests resulting from continuous logging activities.
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