CALAMBA, Laguna - Private hot spring resorts in Barangay Pansol here are still not allowed to reopen, the local government unit (LGU) clarified on Monday (May 31).
The clarification came following the announcement of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) that resorts accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas can operate at 30 percent capacity starting June 1.
Private resorts in Barangay Pansol, however, are not DOT-accredited, Calamba Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) Head Jeffrey Rodriguez told the Manila Bulletin.
Mayor Justin Marc S.B. Chipeco and DOT Region IV-A Director Michael A. Palispis met with resort operators Monday morning to clarify the issue.
The LGU has a pending appeal with the IATF to allow hot spring resorts to operate on a limited capacity following strict health guidelines.
There are approximately 1,400 resorts in Calamba, 90 percent of which are private resorts.
Over the past weeks, resort operators and workers have been appealing for help after they were not allowed to open during the dry months – considered to be their peak season – due to community quarantine protocols.