On the Dot
Helen J. Camarista

Putting premium on DOT accreditation
(Last of a series)

The Department of Tourism through its Office of Tourism Standards have made an agreement with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and formulated new policies and guidelines on tourist transport operations.

For purposes of DOT accreditation and endorsement to LTFRB Region VI, Department of Tourism Region VI shall process all applications of tourist transport operators in Western Visayas . The DOT accreditation is a pre-requisite for endorsement of the proponent's application for conversion of franchise. Applications for droppings and substitution of units and extension of validity of franchise of tourist transport operators shall likewise be processed and endorsed to LTFRB Region 6 by the DOT Region VI. Only application of units issued with DOT endorsement and/ or previously accredited by the DOT shall be accepted by the LTFRB. Vehicles that were issued tourist coupon and tourist chartered transport service franchise by the LTFRB are required to paint “How's My Driving?” marking in the vehicles' body as per LTFRB MC # 2005-006.Vehicles with Tourist Rent A Car Transport Service Franchise are exempted from the painting “How's My Driving” marking requirement.

Tourist transport vehicles have the maximum age limit of 10 years for cars and vans and 15 years for buses and coasters reckoned from the year of manufacture. Accommodation facilities like hotels, resorts and others may be allowed a maximum of two (2) vehicles without the need to secure a franchise.

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Accommodation establishments inspected and accredited by the Department of Tourism include hotels, tourist inns, motels, apartels, resorts and pension houses. Tourism-related establishments such as restaurants, shops/department stores, sports and recreational club, museums, training centers, homestay sites, rest areas in gasoline station, agri-farm sites, and spas.