Thursday, October 16, 2008 Council wants liquor stores to secure endorsement By Jane Cadalig
PRIOR to the issuance of accreditation to liquor establishments, the La Trinidad Municipal Council asked the Department of Tourism (DOT) to include as requirement upon application the endorsement of the local legislative body.
Saying the DOT-accreditation is being abused by liquor establishments, the council said the tourism department should require establishments applying for accreditation to secure first the endorsement of the local government unit (LGU), being the one that could determine a business firm is compliant to rules and regulations.
Proponent Councilor Thomas Chamos said making the Municipal Council endorsement a requirement for DOT accreditation would ensure the state of well-being to the customers, either foreign or local tourists.
Chamos said the local government has better knowledge on whether or not establishments comply with local regulations governing their operations.
"It is the Municipal Government that handles cases of violation committed by business establishments, on non-tax payments, non-renewal of business licenses and other violations," he said.
DOT-accredited establishments in La Trinidad are spared from the liquor ban ordinance of the municipality, which bans the serving of intoxicating drinks beyond the curfew time, which starts at 8 p.m.
"It is the La Trinidad Municipal Government that can determine applicants for the DOT accreditation basing it on previous and present status," the council said in a resolution.
Councilor Robert Namoro said the council should also review the DOT manual for establishment accreditation to determine the provisions where the local government could come in and introduce adjustments.
