The Pasay City government has formed a special team to inspect hotels and similar establishments in the city if they are compliant to the occupancy rules set by authorities to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease.
Mayor Imelda Rubiano cautioned the establishments against violating the policy set by the Department of Tourism and Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Otherwise, she said, they face cancelation of their business permits.
The local government made the move following the involvement of City Garden Hotel in Makati City in the case of a flight attendant who was found dead in the bathtub of a hotel room on Jan. 1.
The hotel reportedly allowed at least 10 persons to have a private party celebrating the New Year.
“We don’t want this to happen in our city. This is the reason why we are reminding hotels to strictly follow the rules of the IATF and DOT,” Rubiano said.
Last Tuesday, the Tourism department issued a show-cause order against the City Garden Hotel management for violating the general community quarantine policy.
In a letter addressed to hotel general manager Richard Reazon, the DOT ordered the establishment to submit within three days its written explanation.
“It has come to the attention of the Department of Tourism that the demise of a Philippine Airlines flight attendant allegedly occurred during a party held in your establishment on 31 December 2020. We understand based on reports that several individuals have checked-in or spent the evening in one of your rooms on said date,” stated the letter signed by DoT regional director Woodrow Maquiling Jr.
Under DoT administrative order 2020-002-C, an accommodation establishment in areas declared under GCQ that is currently being used as quarantine facility may not provide accommodation for leisure purposes.
The department stated that the hotel must explain why it should not be suspended or revoked for violation of the foregoing issuances.