TACLOBAN CITY – About 50 representatives from various primary and secondary tourism enterprises participated in a mobile accreditation caravan organized by the regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT-8).
The caravan, held on September 3 in Catbalogan City, included a diverse range of tourism-related businesses such as accommodation establishments, Meeting, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) facilities, travel and tour agencies, restaurants, cafes, and other food service providers.
Led by Norberto Lumbre, the DOT-8 caravan was facilitated by the Catbalogan City Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Information Office (CTCAIO) and supported by the Catbalogan City Tourism Council (CTC).
In accordance with Republic Act 9593, the accreditation of primary tourism enterprises (PTEs) is mandated, while secondary tourism enterprises are encouraged to undergo voluntary accreditation.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also issued Memorandum Circular No. 2019-17, directing all local government units (LGUs) to ensure that PTEs are accredited by the DOT.
As part of the accreditation process, the DOT-8 team conducted on-site inspections of tourism enterprises. Following the Catbalogan event, the team is scheduled to visit Calbayog City for another mobile accreditation caravan.
DOT-accredited enterprises receive various benefits and incentives, including exemptions from the liquor ban during election periods (for accommodation and restaurant facilities), endorsements to embassies and travel trade associations, priority in DOT training programs, and other privileges such as exemptions from the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and endorsements to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the issuance of a Tourist Transport Franchise (for tourist land transport).
As of September 2, 2024, DOT-8 has issued 328 accreditations to tourism-related enterprises in the region.
In 2023, a total of 469 accreditations, with 437 granted to primary tourism establishments and 32 to secondary tourism establishments, were issued by the DOT-8.
(ROEL T.AMAZONA)
