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Several Victoria Court branches to close, employees retrenched due to COVID-19


Several branches of motel chain Victoria Court will be closed while a number of employees are set to be retrenched, adding to a growing list of individuals affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the hospitality sector.

According to Victoria Court chief executive officer Angelina Mead King, the brand was hit hard by the conditions brought about by the pandemic, making it difficult to sustain business.

"It is time that we face the facts and be honest and try to prepare for what's coming. Even though we have been accepting BPOs, OFWs, and maritime crew, it is still not enough for the business to sustain itself and take care of all of us," she said in a video message addressed to her employees.

"Over the next few weeks, we will be preparing your retirement and retrenchment packages so that you will have some funds to survive over the next few months," she added.

Metro Manila and several other high-risk areas were under an enhanced community quarantine for two months starting March, followed by a two-week modified quarantine that lasted until end-May.

Throughout the lockdowns, several players in the hospitality industry continued to operate -- Victoria Court included -- albeit limited to BPOs and returning OFWs, among others.

"Please don't think that we have come to this decision lightly. It was with great difficulty. I want to let you know that we value all your hard work and loyalty that you have given during my management and I really wish there was another way to go about this," said King.

"For now I have to advise you to please look for another job to support yourself and your family during these tough times and when the business does reopen again, you will be the first ones that we call back," she added.

In a separate video message, her brother Atticus King clarified that while he and his sister both share the brand, they have different managements for the branches they hold.

"I've been getting a ton of questions regarding Victoria Court closing, brought about by my sister's video announcement for her employees communicating that she was closing," he said.

"For my group, we have decided to retrench and we are trying our best to keep our lights on. Presently we are still catering to our medical frontliners. We have been supporting them since maybe the second week of the pandemic," he added.

According to its company website, the Victoria Court currently has 10 properties to its name, divided between the King siblings.

While they did not give out further details on the number of employees to be retrenched, the siblings said they are now looking at restarting commercial operations.

"It's not ideal. We are not optimized for it and we are looking forward to things reverting back to normal as I'm sure a lot of you guys are," said Atticus.

"Definitely as soon as we're allowed to open again we look forward to having you, to serving you and celebrating life and survival," he added. --KBK, GMA News

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