City gov't cracks down on erring tourism businesses

THE CITY government here is planning to penalize establishments operating without tourism licenses, business permits, and those renewing late.

The City Council’s committee on tourism and beautification chaired by Councilor Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz, proposed a resolution “to enact an ordinance imposing penalties to establishments with business permits but no tourism licenses, as well as those with late renewals and establishments that are operating without business permits and tourism licenses.”

Lawmakers will tackle the resolution in today’s regular session following its approval on first reading in the council’s regular session last Oct. 8.

The proposed resolution to enact the ordinance

was introduced to ensure the efficient and effective operation of all tourism-oriented and tourism-related establishments in the city.

The objective was to impose penalties on non-compliant establishments so as to safeguard the tourists visiting the city.

Penalties

For establishments with business permits but without tourism licenses, a fine of P1,000 per month will be imposed.

Establishments with late tourism license, a P1,000 fine will be imposed.

For establishments operating without business permits and tourism licenses, a P2,000 fine will be imposed.

Based on the committee report, the Tourist Police here have recorded 38 tourist establishments given license by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Meanwhile, the Davao City Tourism Operations Office (DCTOO) headed by Gene Rose Tecson, together with the Business Bureau, has been going after establishments that do not have either tourism licenses or business permits.

The tourism officer revealed that “they are having difficulty with online ticketing offices, bogus travel agencies and travel operators, and colorum vehicles.”

It was then suggested that the revocation of business permit may be imposed against establishments that do not have a tourism license.

Accreditation of Establishments

The ordinance will prohibit a person to keep, manage, or operate any building and edifice for the purpose of engaging the tourism business without first securing approval from the Business Permit and Licensing Office, and a certificate of accreditation of the establishment from the Tourism and Promotion Department.