Employees thank Marco Polo Davao ahead of June 15 closure
Published May 8, 2020 12:00 am
By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY - Many people in this city were saddened after The Marco Polo Davao Hotel announced that it was indefinitely suspending operations as it reeled from the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
(Marco Polo Davao / MANILA BULLETIN)
And the announced June 15 closure drew mixed reactions from the hotel’s employees.
Housekeeping and laundry attendant Vicente Nalzaro Albarillo was grateful that he had been part of Marco Polo Hotel for 17 years.
“The decision was announced to all employees of the hotel yesterday (Thursday, May 7) that we only have until June 15. Lucky to be part of the hotel, we are hoping that we can still do something to revive the Marco Polo until its last period,” Albarillo said.
He added that the only five-star hotel in Mindanao was only operating until June 15 because it still had some local and foreign guests, who have been stranded in the city, and employees from business process outsourcing (BPO) companies billeted in the hotel due to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
But Albarillo revealed that there may have been signs, of late, that the hotel was not doing well on the business end.
“There were hints before following the successive earthquakes here in Mindanao. Still we believe that we can get through the trials. Unfortunately, here comes coronavirus messing with us all. But I still believe Marco Polo will be back soon,” Albarillo said.
Wilkens Dumalagan Suan, who had been a casual employee for three years and a bar man of the Cafe Marco for seven months, said in a separate interview that he still could not believe that the hotel will be closing soon.
“I started working with Marco Polo as on-the-job trainee before I become one of their employees. I am truly grateful to be part of a reputable hotel. I have learned so much from them. Following the decision, it is sad. I’m going to miss my job and my colleagues and friends,” Suan said.
But he was quick to add that life must go on.
Suan said he was respecting the decision of management to close down the Marco Polo.
It was all for everybody’s well-being, he noted.
Ervin Lian, who has worked at Marco Polo Davao for five years, said in his Facebook account that the hotel opted for an indefinite cessation of the operations due to the adverse effects of COVID-19. He added that management chose to prioritize the well-being of its employees.
Lian said the employees will receive their separation pay before the effectivity of the indefinite closure. He also expressed so much respect to the hotel management, board and owners of the Marco Polo Davao, as he reiterated how proud and blessed he was to have been part of the hotel.
Other employees also expressed their thoughts and gratitude towards the Marco Polo Davao through social media. The employees believe that the Marco Polo will be back soon when the pandemic is over.
Marco Polo Davao, in a statement posted earlier in its official Facebook page, expressed its gratitude for the overwhelming heartwarming messages it received from their supporters following the news on indefinite cessation of operations on June 15, 2020.
“Our priority is to take care of our associates while the company can. All of you have been the core, and our stewards in building Marco Polo Davao. We will forever be grateful for your unconditional contribution,” the Marco Polo said.
(Marco Polo Davao / MANILA BULLETIN)
And the announced June 15 closure drew mixed reactions from the hotel’s employees.
Housekeeping and laundry attendant Vicente Nalzaro Albarillo was grateful that he had been part of Marco Polo Hotel for 17 years.
“The decision was announced to all employees of the hotel yesterday (Thursday, May 7) that we only have until June 15. Lucky to be part of the hotel, we are hoping that we can still do something to revive the Marco Polo until its last period,” Albarillo said.
He added that the only five-star hotel in Mindanao was only operating until June 15 because it still had some local and foreign guests, who have been stranded in the city, and employees from business process outsourcing (BPO) companies billeted in the hotel due to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
But Albarillo revealed that there may have been signs, of late, that the hotel was not doing well on the business end.
“There were hints before following the successive earthquakes here in Mindanao. Still we believe that we can get through the trials. Unfortunately, here comes coronavirus messing with us all. But I still believe Marco Polo will be back soon,” Albarillo said.
Wilkens Dumalagan Suan, who had been a casual employee for three years and a bar man of the Cafe Marco for seven months, said in a separate interview that he still could not believe that the hotel will be closing soon.
“I started working with Marco Polo as on-the-job trainee before I become one of their employees. I am truly grateful to be part of a reputable hotel. I have learned so much from them. Following the decision, it is sad. I’m going to miss my job and my colleagues and friends,” Suan said.
But he was quick to add that life must go on.
Suan said he was respecting the decision of management to close down the Marco Polo.
It was all for everybody’s well-being, he noted.
Ervin Lian, who has worked at Marco Polo Davao for five years, said in his Facebook account that the hotel opted for an indefinite cessation of the operations due to the adverse effects of COVID-19. He added that management chose to prioritize the well-being of its employees.
Lian said the employees will receive their separation pay before the effectivity of the indefinite closure. He also expressed so much respect to the hotel management, board and owners of the Marco Polo Davao, as he reiterated how proud and blessed he was to have been part of the hotel.
Other employees also expressed their thoughts and gratitude towards the Marco Polo Davao through social media. The employees believe that the Marco Polo will be back soon when the pandemic is over.
Marco Polo Davao, in a statement posted earlier in its official Facebook page, expressed its gratitude for the overwhelming heartwarming messages it received from their supporters following the news on indefinite cessation of operations on June 15, 2020.
“Our priority is to take care of our associates while the company can. All of you have been the core, and our stewards in building Marco Polo Davao. We will forever be grateful for your unconditional contribution,” the Marco Polo said.