[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Erring tour guides face heavier fines’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
Saturday, July 1, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
KALIBO, Aklan – Tour guides and operators in Malay, Aklan will be facing heavier fines and possible deportation for foreigners for violating amended Municipal Ordinance No. 341.
Sangguniang Bayan member Jupiter Aelred Gallenero said aside from fines and imprisonment, the mayor’s permits of erring foreign and local tourist guides, tour operators, tour coordinators and seasonal foreign workers will be cancelled or revoked.
The amended local law stemmed from several complaints received by Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) from tourists such as overpricing of recreational activities in the island.
Unscrupulous commissioners and tours have gone as far as collecting money from tourists and guests in advance for island-hopping activities, but on agreed schedule their whereabouts are unknown, the BTAC added.
“It is high time to impose stiffer penalties for some tourist guides and commissioners who are misleading our visitors and guests in Boracay,” Gallenero said.
Further, if the offender is a foreigner, he will be recommended for deportation proceedings with the Bureau of Immigration after payment of fines to the local government unit and serving of jail time.
Offenders violating Section 7 and Section 8 of Municipal Ordinance No. 341 series of 2015 are also meted a fine not exceeding P2,500 or imprisonment of not more than six months or both upon the discretion of a local court.
If the offender is employed or attached with tour association, corporation, firm, partnership or a company, the same penalties should be imposed with the officials.
Tour guides are individuals who guide for a fee or commission either as a freelancer or employee of any tourism related establishments. Tour coordinators are also freelancer or employed in any tourist establishment of agency who make arrangements for various recreational activities.
The amended ordinance regulating the operations of tour guides and operators was approved by the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay on June 27. (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
