Laoag City—In a bid to sustain standardized and systematic province-wide tourism operations, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc released a memorandum on January 8, 2020 ordering all city and municipal mayors to ensure that the Department of Tourism (DOT) has accredited all tourism enterprises in the province.
In the memorandum, Mr. Manotoc said all city and municipal mayors “are hereby directed to observe and strictly enforce the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9593 or the 'Tourism Act of 2009', mandating primary tourism enterprises (PTEs) to secure accreditation from the DOT as a requirement for the issuance of license or permit to operate.”
To guarantee the “reliability and legitimacy” of tourism-related services in the country, the DOT accreditation is a certification issued to tourism enterprises to officially recognize that they are compliant with the minimum standards for the operation of tourism facilities and services.
As key players in monitoring and administering tourism activities in their respective jurisdictions, local government units have the authority to give chance to noncompliant PTEs to rectify their lapses. However, failure to comply with such shall lead to the revocation of license or permit, causing the cessation of tourism enterprises.
PTEs include travel and tour services; land, sea and air transport services exclusively for tourist use; accommodation establishments; convention and exhibition organizers; and tourism state management services, among others.
In 2018, the province reportedly recorded an estimated total of three million tourist arrivals. As one of its economic source powerhouses, tourism activities continue to sustain the livelihood of a large number of Ilokanos. (PGIN-CMO)