The Department of Tourism (DOT) together with the Provincial Government of Palawan inspected more than 60 tourism-related establishments in the southern municipalities of the province.
These are mostly accommodation establishments such as hotels, resorts, inns, and travel agencies in the towns of Aborlan, Narra, Sofronio Española, Brooke’s Point, Quezon, Rizal and Bataraza.
The activity is in compliance with Memorandum Circular No. 2019-17 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) mandating the accreditation of tourism-related establishments in compliance with Republic Act 9593. Inspected were both physical and documentary requirements in compliance with the law.
Liezl Ogdamin of the Provincial Tourism Promotions and Development Department (PTPDD) said that they are pushing for the tourism establishments to acquire licenses to operate and to get accreditation from the DOT.
Among the gaps that they have observed in many establishments are the absence of rest area, safety deposit box, rooms and ramps for persons with disability (PWD). They recommend that an employee of these establishments should also undergo training on basic life support as a contingency measures in case of emergencies.
“[Ilan pa sa mga tinitignan dito] ang kanilang compliance sa mga policies related to tourism katulad ng Building Code, Solid Waste Management Act, at environmental laws,” Provincial Tourism Officer Maribel C. Buñi said.
Another round of inspection will also be conducted in the northern municipalities of Palawan.
Last May 2018, the DOT made available its services to tourism-related establishments in El Nido by accepting applications and processing of documents at the local tourism office of the municipality.
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