DAVAO CITY -- The Davao City Council will give chance to the owners of resorts operating illegally in Marilog District to immediately secure permits.
Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag said the city council is giving owners to comply, this time.
He assured the owners will have due process and will be given notice of violation once the result of the investigation is out conducted by the Task Force composed of Business Bureau, Offices of City Planning and Development and City Engineer, Departments of Tourism (DOT) and the Environment and Natural Resources.
"Pag third, dili gihapon sila mag-comply, there will be issuance of closure order (If they will not comply on the third notice of violation, there will be issuance of closure order)," he said.
He said the task force has already started investigating after the resolution passed by Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre was approved last month.
Al-ag said the team is given three months to submit its report.
According to the vice mayor, there are resorts in Marilog District which were erected outside the tourism development zone and some are within the identified landslide prone area.
Barangays Baganihan and Datu Salumay are identified as tourism development areas in the said district.
Earlier, Alejandre prompted to pass a resolution after learning that of the 30 inland resorts in Marilog, only two have permits.
He said the situation is alarming because many resorts are with thriving businesses there, yet these are not under the control of the city.
Alejandre said these erring resorts are offering their accommodation and services to the public, but they are not registered.
These establishments are primary tourism enterprises which must comply with the requirements of Department of Tourism and the City Tourism Operations Office.
Under the Amended Tourism Code, Alejandre said tourism establishments must first secure clearances from City Tourism Office, prior to the operation of their businesses.
These establishments must comply with the minimum standards set by the DOT and also submit the Mandatory Occupancy Reports, for monitoring of the tourist arrivals in the city. (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)
