Law Summary
Objectives of the Progressive Accreditation System
- Make the DOT accreditation system more inclusive.
- Motivate stakeholders to uphold and improve quality of facilities and services.
- Develop a comprehensive database of primary tourism enterprises.
Structure and Levels of the PAS
- Three-level recognition scheme:
- Basic Registration: compliance with basic requirements, valid for 1 year, excludes hotels, resorts, apartment hotels, homestays, certain transport operators and online agencies.
- Regular Accreditation: compliance with basic and minimum operational standards, valid for 2 years.
- Premium Accreditation and Star-Rating Accreditation:
- Premium Accreditation for enterprises meeting higher standards excluding hotels, resorts, apartment hotels, and online travel agencies, valid for 3 years.
- Star-Rating Accreditation for hotels, resorts, and apartment hotels compliant with National Accommodation Standards (NAS), valid for 3 years.
Scope of Coverage of PAS
- Primary tourism enterprises defined as:
- Accommodation establishments including hotels, resorts, apartment hotels, mabuhay accommodations (inns, pensions, etc.), and homestays.
- Travel and tour agencies: tour operators, travel agencies, combined travel and tour agencies, and online agencies.
- Tourist land transport operators.
- MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) organizers and venue/facilities.
Requirements for Accreditation
- Documentary requirements per category (Annex A).
- Physical requirements per category and accreditation level (Annex B).
- Incorporation of National Accommodation Standards by reference.
Self-Assessment Form (SAF)
- Checklist for applicants to pre-determine eligibility for accreditation levels.
- Available at DOT Regional Offices and DOT website.
Renewal Period and Validity
- Specific renewal periods and expiration dates depending on enterprise type:
- Accommodation: August 1 to October 31 (expiry October 31).
- Travel and Tour Agencies: April 1 to June 30 (expiry June 30).
- Transport Operators: February 1 to April 30 (expiry April 30).
- MICE organizers and venues: April 1 to June 30 (expiry June 30).
Application and Accreditation Procedures
- Submission of Letter of Intent or SAF to DOT Regional Office or online.
- Scheduled inspection conducted with owner's representative.
- Signing of Inspection Checklist discussing results.
Specific Procedures by Accreditation Level
- Basic Registration:
- Issued upon compliance with basic requirements.
- Mabuhay accommodations can extend registration on partial compliance.
- Certificate includes public disclosure and terms/conditions.
- Six-month period to rectify deficiencies, else Notice of Non-Compliance issued.
- Regular Accreditation:
- Issued if minimum standards met, includes accreditation sticker.
- If failed, reverted to Basic Registration.
- Premium and Star Accreditation:
- Premium Accreditation: certificate and plaque upon meeting standards.
- Mabuhay accommodations require at least 50% compliance for premium.
- Star-Rating Accreditation involves third-party audits for hotels, resorts, apartment hotels.
- Classification and certificate issued upon compliance with NAS.
- Failure to meet standards may lead to lower level accreditation or reclassification.
Dormancy Policy
- Applications withdrawn after 45 days of inactivity.
- Notifications sent on 30th and 45th day.
Fees
- Accreditation fees vary by enterprise type and accreditation level.
- Additional fees for stickers, plaques, re-assessment, lost certificates, and surcharges for late renewals.
- Specific rates provided for hotels, mabuhay accommodations, transport units, agencies, MICE organizers and venues.
Benefits and Privileges
- Accredited enterprises entitled to benefits under prevailing DOT policies.
Supervision and Compliance
- Validity periods for regular and premium/star accreditations defined.
- DOT access to office and records for inspection respecting privacy rights.
- Mandatory display of accreditation seal, number, and validity on premises and advertisements.
- Accreditation rights are non-transferable.
- DOT may issue advisories against violators.
- Periodic monitoring of tourism enterprises for compliance.
Grounds and Procedures for Denial, Suspension, Revocation, and Downgrading
- Denial grounds include false declarations, non-compliance, unpaid fees, liability findings.
- Suspension, cancellation, and fines imposed for offenses such as unauthorized use or reproduction of accreditation documents, bad faith dealings, failure to display accreditation, promotion of illegal activities, non-compliance with laws.
- Progressive fines and suspension periods outlined for repeated offenses.
- Downgrade possible for failure to maintain standards.
Miscellaneous Provisions
- Confidentiality of data and documents submitted.
- Issuance of additional circulars/orders as necessary.
- Separability clause ensuring remainder of rules remain valid if any provision invalid.
- Repeal of inconsistent prior DOT rules and circulars.
- Immediate effectivity upon publication and registration with ONAR.