An estimated 60 establishments in southern Palawan were jointly inspected by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the provincial government for their accreditation based on a circular issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Tourism Act of 2009.
Also known as primary tourism enterprises (PTEs), provincial tourism officer Mabel Buñi of the Provincial Tourism Promotions and Development Department (PTPDD) said their inspection is necessary so they can be accredited to operate.
She said this in a press statement released on Monday by the Provincial Information Office (PIO).
The inspections were done in March in the towns of Aborlan, Narra, Sofronio Española, Brooke’s Point, Quezon, Rizal, and Bataraza.
“[Ilan sa mga tinitignan dito] ang kanilang compliance sa mga policies related to tourism katulad ng building code, solid waste management act, at environmental laws,” said Buñi in the PIO statement.
She said they are after ensuring that the PTEs are compliant with the environmental and tourism-related laws, and physical and documentary requirements.
Leizl Ogdamin, also of the PTPDD, said in the statement that the PTEs still need to comply with a lot of things before they can be accredited by the DOT.
She said what the establishments need to have put in place are rest areas, safety deposit boxes, rooms, and ramps for persons with disabilities.
Most establishments, Ogdamin added, are complete in terms of documentary requirements, but also need to have personnel and staff who know how to perform basic life support (BSL).
She said they are also due to do the same inspection in northern Palawan.
