No ‘lewd’ shows

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu Provincial Board Member Red Duterte has urged the local government units (LGU) to make sure that no lewd shows will be allowed in their places, particularly this Holy Week.

Duterte, who heads the PB Committee on Tourism, said the they will monitor these activities by coordinating with the LGUs. He said there should be no permits issued to organizers of such events.

This summer, the influx of visitors is expected in tourism destinations in the province, like Camotes Island and Bantayan Island, especially this Holy Week.

Duterte said this as an economic opportunity for the locals in the tourism industry but it is not an excuse to hold lewd events, because respecting the observation of Holy Week is still paramount.

"We also have to remember nga we are celebrating Holy Week and maybe we just have to strike a balance bitaw -- economic activity and religious pud," he said.

On the other hand, the Department of Tourism (DOT) strongly advised travelers to only patronize DOT-accredited tourism enterprises for a safe and more meaningful travel experience.

In its advisory yesterday, DOT said that the DOT accreditation means that the establishments have complied with the minimum standards set to ensure quality operation of tourism and tourism-related facilities and services like accommodation, tours, transportation, among others.

For the nationwide list of accredited hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, and other tourism enterprises, one can visit https://beta.tourism.gov.ph/accreditations/#dot-accredited.

Aside from that, the public had also been advised to stay updated on travel-related news and safety guidelines from credible sources while cautious of unsolicited messages or offers, particularly from anonymous sources or unverified social media platforms or accounts, to avoid falling victim to scams targeting tourists, such as fake accommodation, travel tickets, vacation deals, among others.

For guidance and assistance on general tourism inquiries, DOT accreditation, travel complaints and other emergencies, DOT also assured that its Tourist Assistance Call Center is open any time and any day via hotline number 151-TOUR /151-8687, mobile number +63995-835-5155, and the following platforms: e-mail address : [email protected]; Facebook messenger at https://www.facebook.com/DepartmentOfTourism; web chat at https://philippines.travel/and https://beta.tourism.gov.ph/; or via https://philippines.travel/ and https://beta.tourism.gov.ph.

“By staying vigilant and informed, travelers can enjoy a memorable and worry-free Holy Week vacation experience” DOT said.

Drug test

Meanwhile, at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT), all 43 Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers and conductors passed a surprise drug test conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7 (PDEA-7) Friday afternoon as part of the countrywide drug testing program Oplan Harabas, was conducted to curb vehicular and traffic accidents caused by drivers who are under the influence of illegal drugs.

The surprise test was also part of the preparation for Holy Week, to ensure the safety of passengers who will be using public transportation as they will be traveling home to their respective towns and provinces.

Aside from personnel of the PDEA-7 Regional Office Laboratory, the testing was facilitated in coordination with CSBT management, the One Cebu Inter-Agency Interdiction Task Force, the Land Transportation Office-7, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7.

Other law enforcement agencies, including the members of the Cebu City Police Office and the Cebu Police Provincial Office, were also present during the testing held at the bus terminal.

In a press statement, Leia Alcantara, PDEA-7 information officer, said that based on the test results, all urine samples of the 43 individuals who underwent the testing showed the negative presence of dangerous drugs.

She said that because of these, no further tests are no longer required for them.

Apart from drug testing, the authorities also conducted an operational worthiness inspection of the buses; K9 sweeping; and distribution of Information, Education, and Communication materials.

“The activity is a part of a holistic inter-agency initiative aimed at preventing vehicular accidents caused by drivers under the influence of drugs during the Lenten Season and highlighting the importance of having a drug-free public transport system,” Alcantara said. (CEBU NEWS)