Screen tour guides, municipalities told

The Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) urged the Badian Municipal Government to screen their local tourist guides thoroughly.

This, after two canyoneering guides from Badian were arrested in separate buy-bust operations last Friday.

Joselito “Boboi” Costas, PTO head, told reporters he was saddened that some local guides from Badian were selling illegal drugs when they should serve as the town’s face when it comes to local tourism.

“Local guides are there to provide memorable experiences to those visiting their tour sites,” Costas said.

Following the arrest of the two canyoneering guides, Costas urged the Badian Municipal Government to screen their tour guides not just on their capability to do their jobs but also on how they can take care of the safety and welfare of tourists.

Costas said any tour guide who puts his tourists in harm’s way could affect the entire tourism industry in a particular place.

But Costas didn’t discount the possibility that some tourists are also there to buy drugs from the locals.

Last Friday, Jejomar Divina Gracia, a tour guide from Alegria, and James Peter Greaves, from Barangay Matutinao in Badian, were arrested by police for allegedly selling illegal drugs.