By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Twenty eight of the 85 hotel and accommodation establishments in Bacolod City have already resumed operations following months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Sandra Ruth Sycip, acting tourism officer of the Bacolod City Tourism Office, said the 28 establishments have secured the certificate for authority to operate issued by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

However, of the 28 establishments, Sycip said two of them have chosen to remain close but will reopen anytime once the number of tourists entering the city starts to pick up.

In all, around the establishments can provide a total 1,000 rooms which could be accommodated, however as of the moment, most of the occupants were noted to be authorized persons outside of residence (APORs), or those who are currently on a business trip in the city.

Other hotel establishments, meanwhile, are still being used as quarantine facilities.

Sycip added, more hotel establishment may reopen in the coming weeks as some are already processing their permits with the DOT./DGB, WDJ