Less than 5% of tour guides in Badian fail drug tests

Eighteen out of 425 tour guides operating in Badian, Cebu are no longer allowed to do their jobs after they were found positive of illegal drug use during a surprise drug test last Tuesday.

The Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO) visited Badian last Tuesday to conduct a surprise drug test on police officers and tour guides doing business in the town.

After what happened, the Cebu Provincial Tourism Office reiterated its request to local governments to require tourism operators in their areas to submit a safety management plan, which includes policies on how tour guides should act while at work.

Donald Villarin, Badian acting municipal tourism officer, told SunStar Cebu that Badian Mayor Carmencita Lumain decided to terminate services of the 18 tour guides during a meeting with tourism stakeholders yesterday.

The 18 tour guides were working as part of the canyoneering and Kawasan Falls tour program.

Villarin said that if the operators will rehire the 18 tour guides, the municipal government will revoke their license to operate.

Provincial Tourism Officer Joselito “Boboi” Costas said he had suggested to LGUs before to require tour operators to submit safety management plans before their business permits are approved.

Costas plans to seek help from the Provincial Board to come up with an ordinance that will require LGUs to ask for safety management plans from tour operators in their areas.