Violators face non-issuance of tourism license, business permit

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod recently passed on its first reading an ordinance that would require lodging establishments, restaurants, and other similar businesses to display images depicting the city’s “rich cultural heritage.”
The proposal, authored by City Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr., would require establishments such as hotels, coffee shops, resorts, travel agencies, among others to display at least two pictures or photographs portraying local culture.
The ordinance notes the images must be “strategically located” and “easily visible,” a minimum size of 2’ x 3,’ and include an introduction or description.
According to the policy, the Business Permits and Licensing Office would serve as the lead enforcement authority and will be tasked with deploying inspectors to survey such establishments.
Businesses found in violation are issued a warning on their first two offenses; however, by the third, they will not be issued a tourism license nor business permit.
In defense of the policy, Gamboa cited Section 14, Article IX of the 1987 Constitution, which reads: “The state shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic devolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expressions.”
The city councilor also noted, “By displaying the works and media of arts [at] various establishments, the people of Bacolod City, tourists, and [the] youth can likewise easily understand the significance of culture to society.”/DGB, WDJ