DOT-7 notes slowdown in accreditation requests

The Department of Tourism (DOT-7) expects a temporary slowdown in applications for hotel/resort accreditation as the hospitality sector in the region is busy improving its environmental-related facilities.

In fact, this has been noted by the ongoing mobile accreditation program currently conducted by the regional office, said DOT-7 regional director Shalimar Tamano.

Tamano confirmed that tourism establishments in the region are responding to the call of the government to adhere to the standards in terms of environmental requirements.

DOT-7 initially rolled out its mobile accreditation facility initially in Bantayan island in the northern part of Cebu to provide easier access for small tourism related establishments to get a DOT accreditation.

However, due to dire need to improve facilities, hospitality establishments have yet to submit their applications for accreditation, pending the completion of sewage or watertreatment facilities that suit the standards set by the government.

The deployment of mobile accreditation program across the region was implemented to provide easier access for small hotels to acquire their DOT accreditation stamp.

Besides, Tamano said it is also important to monitor the small establishments' quality of service and facilities for tourism, especially in the countryside.

With this program, tourism-related business on the islands, or in the farflung areas don’t have to spend time and money in going to DOT regional offices to get accreditation, it is now reaching out to them.

Meanwhile, waste water facility provider Mactan Rock Industries Inc., (MRII) earlier announced that it is helping the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to inspect the existing waste-water facilities of establishments initially on Mactan Island.

MRII chairman Antonio Tompar announced that after DENR furnished them a copy of establishments that are yet to comply with waste-water treatment facilities in their respective businesses, MRII has created a task force to study further what these establishments need in terms of support.

This move was immediately activated following DENR's move to require tourism-related business or even destination to have sound and proper waste-water treatment facilities.

Similar move is also being activated in Panglao island in Bohol. —

Dagooc

Ehda M.