LA UNION REGULATES PROVINCIAL TOUR GUIDES, COORDINATORS, ESCORTS

By: Jiroh Joy D. Marbella, GPC–SP

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The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of La Union unanimously approved on third and final reading the draft ordinance regulating the operation of Provincial Tourist Guides, Coordinators and Tourist Escorts on August 18, 2020 in preparation of the reopening of tourism activities once the nationwide community quarantine is lifted brought by the coronavirus pandemic.

SPM Christian I. Rivera, principal author, said that the ordinance is needed to ensure that future tourists visiting the province will be assisted with high quality services by highly trained, highly qualified and trustworthy individuals.

Under the ordinance, no person shall act as a provincial tourist guide in the Province of La Union unless he is a Filipino citizen, a resident of the province for at least three consecutive years, is accredited by the Department of Tourism and registered with the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU). Meanwhile, tour escorts and coordinators also need to be registered with PGLU.

Provincial Tourist Guides are qualified individuals to lead tourists, local or foreign, to desired destinations to two or more towns in the province and provide them information they need to know. They can either be freelancers or employees of any tourism-related establishments within the province. Tour Coordinators, meanwhile, are qualified individuals that are either freelancers or employees of any tourism-related establishment and agency within the province that make arrangements in providing various recreational activities to tourists. Tourist Escorts are qualified individuals that provide assistance to tourists while in transit going to any tourist establishments, destinations or while they are attending any activity within La Union.

Tourist service providers, both foreign and those from outside of La Union who aspire to provide tour services to their clients to any towns in La Union are required to coordinate with La Union Provincial Tourism Office who will then provide them with accredited and registered Provincial Tour Guides/Escorts or coordinators.

A fine of P5, 000.00 for the first and second offenses will be imposed to any person who is not qualified and registered to provide provincial tour services but is performing the task. For third and subsequent offenses, the offender will be fined with P5, 000.00 or an imprisonment of not exceeding 30 days or both at the discretion of the court.

Meanwhile, for tourist services who fail to coordinate with the LUPTO, they shall be charged with fines of P500.00 for the first offense, P1,000.00 on second offense and P2,000.00 on third and subsequent offenses.

The LUPTO will be responsible for the registration of new tourist guides, coordinators and escorts and shall likewise monitor the implementation of the said ordinance.