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Employees of Hah-R-Mony Entertainment Limited, Jamaica’s largest entertainment company, joined cleanup efforts in Montego Bay, St. James, on October 31. The Category Five cyclone made landfall on October 28, unleashing widespread damage and disruption across several parishes—most notably in St. James. The employees focused their efforts on clearing debris and fallen trees from key areas of Montego Bay, including Mango Walk, sections of Leader Avenue, and the Sangster International Airport roundabout. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and owner of Hah-R-Mony Entertainment, Ho-Chi-Min Castillo Rolffot, told JIS News that Friday’s staff engagement was intended to facilitate smoother travel for motorists and contribute meaningfully to the broader recovery process. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to community service, stating that its involvement in post-hurricane recovery efforts reflects its longstanding motto of giving back. “We know there’s a lot of work to be done, and the local authorities will be having their hands full in clearing up the place. So we felt that having our people out there, lending a hand, is the least that we could do at this time. By doing our part, we are encouraging other entities to come out and lend a hand,” the CEO added. With the 2025/26 winter tourism season scheduled to commence on December 15, Mr. Castillo Rolffot, has underscored the urgency of recovery efforts, describing them as “vitally important to the nation’s economy.” “We have scores of employees, 80 per cent locals and the rest from other Caribbean islands, all plying their trade entertaining guests in some 21 hotels. It is also very symbolic, having them out there assisting with the recovery efforts,” he stated. The CEO emphasised that tourism remains a cornerstone of Jamaica’s economy, adding that the swift restoration of services and infrastructure is essential to ensuring a successful 2025/26 winter season. Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, echoed the call for strengthened collaboration between the public and private sectors, describing it as vital to the island’s recovery efforts. “A public and private sector partnership will be critical in the recovery process and to get the nation back on its feet as quickly as possible,” he remarked. The impact of Hurricane Melissa has been particularly severe for local businesses. Owner of Smokeez Seafood Restaurant in Rose Hall, Roxanne Maragh, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the public support received following the destruction of her establishment. “It’s a daunting task, but we can’t give up… we can’t just fold over and die,” she stated, while acknowledging the long road ahead in rebuilding her business. Councillor Vernon emphasised that sustained collaboration between corporate entities and community stakeholders will be essential in restoring normalcy and strengthening the resilience of the tourism sector. “The road to recovery may be long… but with collective action and support, Montego Bay can emerge stronger from this disaster,” he declared.
