ILOILO City – A newly-approved ordinance promotes local tours.
These include private local tours by private individuals or groups for pleasure and/or education, and local government unit (LGU)-certified tours for benchmarking, partnership and investment explorations, education, and other LGU-related activities.
The new measure is anchored on the goal of the city government to develop Iloilo City as a prime tourist hub by promoting the city’s rich history, culture and heritage, and ensuring their protection, preservation and promotion.
“The local government of Iloilo City recognizes that tourism is now a major revenue generator, a catalyst for socioeconomic growth and a source of national pride,” read part of the ordinance.
The ordinance also provides guidelines for the use of city government-owned vehicles for tours.
A letter should be sent to the Iloilo City Government through the lloilo City Mayor’s Office (CMO) for coordination and approval.
Once the mayor approves the request, the requesting tourists will pay at the Treasurer’s Office for the issuance of tour permit by the CMO and for the recommended itinerary and list of tourists to the driver.
The ordinance also prescribed tour rate which is P1,000 regardless of the duration and number of participants.
The amount shall be paid at the Treasurer’s Office to redound to the general funds of the city government./PN
