Rides at a fair in Las Piñas City have rusted after being stalled for 20 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Adrian Escalona, owner of the fair, from the P100,000 income every three months in the fair before, he now earns P20,000 from the water refilling station.
His income is for the family, and he has adopted ten employees.
“‘Yong iba, kinuha ko, nandoon sa water station ko, kinuha kong tao ko doon, mga taga-deliver, taga-refill po ng tubig… ‘yong ibang tao ko nagsiuwi na po kasi hindi ko na rin po kayang mapakain po,” said Escalona.
Escalona is already painting and conditioning the rides because Metro Manila is already under Alert Level 2, where fairs are allowed to operate.
Escalona is excited about the re-operation, but they are also worried that they will not be able to recover their income.
“Mahalaga po sa amin ‘yon dahil ‘yon lang ‘yong alam naming trabaho na ibubuhay sa pamilya namin,” said Alexander Pascua, ride operator of the fair.
A comedy bar will also reopen in Las Piñas City, which is also allowed to operate under Alert Level 2.
But out of 30 entertainers, only two will perform for now.
“Siyempre lahat naman mabibigyan ko naman ng work pero adjust-adjust naman tayo nang konti,” said Andrew de Real, owner of comedy bar.
Funfairs, clubs in Metro Manila excited to re-open
The Department of Trade and Industry reminded that all employees in indoor operations must be vaccinated.
Customers also need to be vaccinated, except minors.
The allowable capacity is 50 percent in indoor entertainment venues while 70 percent in outdoor.
Minors will not be admitted without a parent or guardian of legal age.
Health protocols, such as wearing a face mask and face shield when indoors, still need to be followed.
It is up to the local governments to add other requirements to entertainment venues, such as vaccination cards, birth certificates, or IDs for minors.
Last week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it might recommend returning passengers to public vehicles to full capacity.
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