Exec: City gov’t eyeing home-sharing policies
THE CITY government is studying the home-sharing mechanisms that Singapore and Japan are adopting to benefit the owners ofthese establishments as well as the government.
Regina Rosa Tecson, head of the City Tourism Operations Office, said her office is studying the way home-sharing is being done in two countries and on whether these policies can be applied in the city.
Last year, Japan imposed a stricter home-sharing regulation by limiting private stays to 180 nights a year as the government also required a third party to deal with complaints. On the other hand, Singapore has also required homeowners to secure permits with the failure of complying with the regulation a ground for declaring these establishments illegal.
At present, Tecson said only about 20 establishment owners have secured permits to operate similar accommodation establishments, and even when the number is low, her office will continue to meet with homeowners to persuade those who want to operate similar establishments to secure necessary permits and comply with standards.
“Two months ago we already met with the property managers and the residents of the homeowners association of every condominium and then we gave them a talk on the importance of security, the business permits and also the tourism code of Davao City,” she said.
Tecson admitted that there are still homeowners who are not interested in applying for business permits, but her office is looking at how to persuade them to comply with requirements.