The Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) recently underscored the importance of securing accreditation from the Department of Tourism (DOT), particularly with tourism enterprises now needing aid in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a recent webinar with Rise Up PH, a social media group consisting of tourism stakeholders eager to kickstart the recovery of the industry, TCP President Jose Clemente III said DOT accreditation allows for many benefits including much-needed financial assistance aimed at boosting the sector's recovery.

He mentioned two pending bills -- Bayanihan 2 and ARISE, both of which, he said, are meant to assist businesses “critically-impacted” by the ongoing global health crisis. 

Beneficiaries include tourism businesses but only those that are DOT accredited, Clemente said.

“The financial aid that will be available to the industry is meant for accredited tourism enterprises,” he stressed.  

Under the P1.3-trillion ARISE bill, P58 billion has been allocated for DOT's tourism response and recovery program (TRRP).

Bayanihan 2, on the other hand, allocated P10 billion to DOT's TRRP. 

Clemente pointed out under Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009, tourism enterprises cannot avail of a business permit from local government units (LGUs) unless they have been accredited by the DOT. 

He added, a memorandum order issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)  in February 2019 instructed LGUs to properly implement the law with regards to the issuance of business permits.

However, when Rise Up PH’s Harold Atondo asked why some LGUs do not require DOT accreditation, Clemente replied: “It’s still your choice, accreditation."  

But he cleared it is a clear violation of existing laws.

"It just so happens that’s what the law says, you have to get a business permit, (you need DOT accreditation). If you can live with it (no accreditation), then fine."  

Clemente emphasized accreditation is meant to be a “seal of good housekeeping.” 

"It is meant to separate yung nakaka-meet ng requirements (those who have met the requirements) for good operations as opposed to those who are not accredited for whatever reason," he said. 

When a member of the travel agencies association asked whether the sector will still be able to thrive considering the financial burden it incurred due to the pandemic, Clemente said: “Hindi mawawala ang travel agents (Travel agents will never disappear).”

“With all due respect to the online industry, during this pandemic, I think people started to rely more on travel agents kasi (because)  they wanted to have the human contact to be really assured that someone is really taking care of them once they are going home, trying to rebook, trying to refund, and everything,” he stressed. 

THe DOT has eased its interim accreditation guidelines for this year, waiving accreditation fees due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.