Fire dancers in Puerto Galera feel the heat of oil price hikes

Rising diesel prices are taking a toll on fire dancers, forcing them to grapple with higher costs as they continue performing their craft.

Elmer, a fire dancer in Puerto Galera in Mindoro Oriental, said, "Apektado po talaga kami kasi ang ginagamit namin diesel kasi mas matagal siyang mamatay."

(We are really affected by the oil price increase, because we use diesel, which lasts longer.)

For the Holy Week, tourists flocked to the white sand beaches of Puerto Galera to unwind, but the province's information officer, Christine Ibon, said this year's visitors were slightly fewer.

"We know we are experiencing a crisis," she said in a "24 Oras" report by Bam Alegre.

The local government unit said more than 12,000 tourists have visited the province since Monday this week, including the 7,000 who arrived on Thursday.

"We have doubled the deployment of LGU personnel.  We are getting help from the tourist police," Ibon said.

Tourists are treated to the various activities in the beach resorts, including the fire dance and a concert.

On Good Friday, however, the local government prohibited loud sounds in observance of the solemn holy day. —LDF, GMA News

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