Policy and regulatory purpose
- The DOT directs licensed, practicing tour guides and tour guide applicants to observe the guidelines for tour guide licensing set forth in the Order.
- The guidelines establish seminar-based requirements that govern renewal/issuance outcomes for guides based on inactivity and for applicants applying for a license.
Covered persons and regulated transactions
- The guidelines apply to all licensed, practicing tour guides and all tour guide applicants seeking issuance of a tour guide license.
- The Order differentiates requirements based on the length of inactivity of tour guides who already hold licenses.
- The Order differentiates requirements based on whether a person is a new applicant for a tour guide license.
Seminar obligations by inactivity period
- Section I (Licensed guides inactive at least 1 year but not over 2 years) requires attendance at a REFRESHER SEMINAR COURSE I on Practical Guiding Techniques.
- Section II (Inactive more than 2 years but not over 4 years) requires enrollment in a REFRESHER SEMINAR COURSE II on General and Practical Knowledge, with a pre-determined grade requirement.
- Section II provides that non-attainment of the pre-determined grade requirement results in non-issuance of license.
- Section III (Inactive more than 4 years) requires enrollment in a REGULAR TOUR GUIDE SEMINAR, with a pre-determined grade requirement.
- Section III provides that non-attainment of the pre-determined grade requirement results in non-issuance of license.
- Section IV (New applicants) requires enrollment in a REGULAR TOUR GUIDE SEMINAR, with a pre-determined grade requirement.
- Section IV provides that non-attainment of the pre-determined grade requirement results in non-issuance of license.
Conduct of seminars and authorized providers
- Seminars must be conducted by the Department of Tourism or by an association/entity duly authorized by the DOT to conduct the seminar.
- The Order requires compliance with the seminar attendance/enrollment and grade requirement outcomes for the relevant category of guide or applicant.
Eligibility standards for new applicants
- Section IV requires new applicants to be college graduates.
- Section IV requires that for non-Filipino applicants, the educational requirement is based on the educational system in the country of origin.
- Section IV requires new applicants to be proficient in English.
- Section IV requires new applicants to be proficient in another foreign language.
- Section IV requires new applicants to be of good moral character.
Repeal and compliance instruction
- The Order repeals Administrative Order No. 5, Series of 1989.
- The DOT issues a directive for strict compliance with the Order.
- The Order prescribes seminar/grade-based outcomes tied to issuance decisions for guides and applicants.