DOT releases guidelines for tourism enterprises

THE Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) has welcomed the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) move to accredit accommodation places that choose to operate during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Carlo Suarez, HRRAC president, said they are aware of the guidelines.

“We support the government. The Department of Health and DOT work together to implement protocol,” he said.

On Saturday, June 13, 2020, the DOT issued interim guidelines for the application of accreditation for tourism enterprises.

The accreditation is free.

Guidelines cover hotels, resorts, apartment hotels, Mabuhay accommodations and homestays.

With the exception of tour guides and homestays, all tourism enterprises applying for accreditation for the first time are required to submit the following documentary requirements:

* Accomplished application form which need not be notarized;

* Accomplished self-assessment form;

* Valid mayor’s or business permit; and

* Sworn statement of undertaking.

Meanwhile, the documentary requirements for tourism enterprises’ renewal applications for DOT accreditation are the following:

* Accomplished application form, which need not be notarized;

* Mayor’s or business permit issued either the current year or the previous year; and

* Sworn statement of undertaking.

As part of the accreditation process and to ensure that it complies with minimum public health standards, the applicant shall allow the physical inspection of its premises.

If physical inspection is impracticable, virtual inspection of premises shall be conducted, in which case the accommodation establishment shall be issued a provisional accreditation.

A certificate of accreditation shall be issued to a tourism enterprise that:

* Is found to be compliant with minimum public health standards, as well as both basic and minimum standards for the operation of tourism facilities and services; and

* Has undergone physical inspection of its prem i ses.

The certificate of accreditation shall be valid for two years and shall be renewable thereafter unless sooner revoked for cause.

A certificate of provisional accreditation, on the other hand, shall be issued to a tourism enterprise that:

* Is found to be compliant with minimum public health standards, as well as both basic and minimum standards for the operation of tourism facilities and services; and

* Has undergone virtual inspection of its prem i ses.

Validity

The certificate of provisional accreditation shall be valid for one year and shall be renewable thereafter unless sooner revoked for cause.

A certificate of registration shall be issued to a tourism enterprise that is found to be compliant with only the basic requirements for the operation of tourism facilities and services.

The certificate of registration is valid for a period of one year unless sooner revoked for cause.

All documentary requirements may be requested from and submitted personally or via e-mail to the DOT Regional Office with jurisdiction over the area where the tourism enterprise has its official address.

Meanwhile, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia will issue a memorandum ordering local chief executives to inform resort establishments and homestay operators in their areas about the DOT requirements.

“We will only allow resorts that are duly accredited by DOT to reopen,” the governor said.

“Those who are operating homestays without a mayor’s permit should not be open for business since they are violating guidelines,” she said in Cebuano.

DOT-Central Visayas Director Shahlimar Tamano said they cannot issue a Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO) to the unaccredited establishments since they are bound by guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Tamano also clarified that establishments accredited by the DOT must apply for a new accreditation.

“At least kung naay mahitabo, protected na na diri. Pagsubmit nimo sa CAO ug wala pa ka maaccredit okay ra na. Pero ang CAO importante kaayo to. I assure you that we will make it very fast and easy nga dili maglisod ang atong mga establishment,” he said.

(At least, if something happens, these establishments will be protected. When they submit their application for CAO and they’re still not accredited that’s okay. But the CAO is very important. I assure you that we will make the process very fast and easy.)

This way, they can regulate the industry, the tourism official said.

(ANV, PJB)