A major tradeshow event slated for the coming weekend was one of the major casualties of the COVID-19 emergency, with the organizers deciding to cancel it at the last minute.
Around 30 participating companies in the 3rd Palawan Hospitality Trade Show that was to be held at the Legend Hotel started instead to pack up, with some of the participants heading back for Manila to avoid being stranded due to Monday’s lockdown of Metro Manila.
Michelle Solomo, an organizer of the event, said they were already set for the 2-day tradeshow when President Rodrigo Duterte announced Thursday night a “community quarantine” of Metro Manila.
“Nakaset-up na talaga lahat. Supposedly start na kami kaya lang noong na-receive ko ang call kanina na ganoon na ang nangyari ay we decided to postpone na lang. Ang iba namin na participants came from Manila pa kaya before the lockdown hopefully makabalik sila doon,” Solomo said.
“Ang laki talaga ng epekto sa amin, hindi lang sa mga suppliers na nandito kundi sa hospitality sector talaga. Dapat kasi mapapakita ng lahat ang mga products and basically both sides are doing business,” she added.
She also added that they need to follow protocols for the safety of everyone.
“Wala pa naman tayong confirmed na positive dito sa Puerto Princesa City but we have to follow the order for the safety of everyone,” Solomo added.
