MANILA, Philippines — A group of resort owners from Mabini town in Batangas has asked the Department of Tourism (DOT) to reconsider the order suspending their operations after some establishments supposedly violated health protocols.
Resort Owners Association of Mabini president Jake Calangi said some of its member-establishments violated the 30 percent capacity limit while some did not have the authority to operate coming from DOT and their local government unit.
“We agree that the violations committed were serious in nature and should not be taken lightly. However, we strongly believe that closing all the operations of all other establishments who are implementing the proper protocols is not the correct solution,” states Calangi’s September 21-letter to DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
“Moreover, it is unfair to those who like us have invested our resources and efforts just to comply with the laws set by the national and local governments. We feel it is just and fair to penalize the violators as they were the ones who willfully and deliberately violated the laws without any care on the potential harm or damage of their actions.”
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Mabini Tourism Office said tourism operations in the area “will remain closed until further notice.” It did not detail why such a measure was suddenly implemented.
Calangi lamented that their businesses have been suffering since the year started – with the Taal Volcano eruption and then the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We hope that you can reconsider the said order and instead establish guidelines on how we can run our business at the same time protect ourselves and our community,” he said.
Puyat is yet to respond to Inquirer’s queries on the group’s concerns.
Batangas is under general community quarantine (GCQ) until September 30.
Staycations have been allowed in GCQ areas to revive local tourism.