FOLLOWING the Department of the Interior and Local Government's (DILG) call for local government units (LGUs) to ensure the accreditation of primary tourism enterprises (PTEs), the City Government of Cagayan de Oro conducted a forum for business owners last Monday, April 8.
The Primary Tourism Enterprises Accreditation Forum, spearheaded by the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office and City Tourism Council, was attended by around 50 market players from accommodations, travel, and tours industry.
According to Ave Gladys Gabucan, acting city tourism officer, the forum discussed the significance of having a tourism enterprise accredited and its privileges.
According to the DOT website, the benefits and incentives of accreditation include endorsement to embassies and travel trade associations for use of an establishment’s facilities and services, eligibility for participation in travel fairs, priority in DOT training programs, endorsement to international airports for issuance of access pass to qualified personnel, endorsements to the Commission on Elections for exemption from liquor ban during election-related events, free online/print advertising in national dailies, and promotion of events on the DOT’s Facebook page and other social-media sites.
The Business Permit and Licensing Office of the city also informed the participants of the requisites and processes involved for accreditation.
In a memorandum circular, released by the DILG last February, the agency reiterated the need for hospitality establishments to secure DOT accreditation for the issuance of a license or permit to operate from the local government units.
The mandate is covered under the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009.
Under the circular signed by DILG chief Eduardo Año, LGUs are mandated to ensure that all primary tourism establishments (PTE) and other accommodation establishments have complied with and have obtained DOT accreditation before operations.
The circular warned that concerned LGUs will be notified by the DOT of failure of compliance of respective PTEs and will have to issue closure orders should PTEs fail to comply.