The regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT) will ensure that accreditation of primary tourism enterprises (PTEs) will be followed to ensure that they do not contribute to the environmental problems that the Davao Gulf is facing, a top government official said on Saturday.
“Establishments near beaches (and) bodies of water have to be accredited. We will check if they have proper facilities to maintain environmentally sustainable operations,” DOT XI Regional Director Tanya R. Tan said on Sunday.
Tan explained that the accreditation is only “issued to tourism enterprises after having complied with the minimum standards for the operation of tourism facilities and services.”
“Davao Gulf is part of the charm of the Davao region so with the proper convergence with national agencies we can restore its beauty,” she added.
Earlier, the Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners – Davao City Chapter recently raised its concern on the problems facing the Davao Gulf,
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently released a memorandum ordering local governments units to stop issuing permits to PTEs, particularly accommodation establishments, that are not DOT-accredited.
The memorandum is a reiteration of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9593 or Tourism Act of 2009.
Tan said her agency will support DOT-accredited PTEs through capacity trainings and product development. Accredited establishments will be featured in DOT websites and will also be recommended to foreign tourists, she added.
The region has about 2,000 DOT-accredited establishments.
