DOT permit needed for hotels, resorts to reopen

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday said hotels, resorts and other accommodation establishments in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) must secure a certificate from the agency before resuming business operations.

In an online press conference, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said all accommodation establishments that intend to start commercial operations in MGCQ areas, as well as in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas, whether for the accommodation of guests or operations of in-house food facilities for takeout or delivery, must secure a “DOT certificate of authority to operate” prior to any operations.

The regulation is contained in an administrative order issued by Puyat on May 22 which provides guidelines on the operations of hotels and other accommodation establishments under a community quarantine.

Puyat said businesses without a DOT certificate face penalties and administrative sanctions, such as revocation of their DOT accreditation or their business permit.

The application for the certificate is free. DOT-accredited hotels and other establishments need only to submit to the DOT regional office with jurisdiction over their area a “letter of intent to operate.”

Nonaccredited establishments, however, must apply for accreditation first to ensure compliance with basic requirements.

All certified establishments will be published on the DOT website and social media accounts to guide the tourists, she said.

Puyat said that tourism stakeholders must closely coordinate with local government units in the assessment of the actual readiness of their areas to support resumption of tourism activities.