Bohol board member seeks probe into Balicasag tour guide fees

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol– A Bohol provincial board member wants an inquiry into the collection of environmental or entrance fees from Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited tour guides accompanying visitors to Balicasag Island in Panglao town, citing the need for clear, consistent policies across the province’s tourism destinations.

Lawyer Jiselle Rae Aumentado Villamor, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Committee on Tourism, raised the issue in a privilege speech on Tuesday, asking the provincial government to determine the legal basis for the fees, the authority responsible for collecting them, and whether tour guides are subjected to the charges.

Villamor said the concern was brought to the provincial government’s attention through a Facebook message reporting that accredited tour guides were being asked to pay environmental fees. She also cited an open letter from tourism stakeholders addressed to the Panglao municipal government seeking exemption from entrance fees while guides accompany tourists in the performance of their duties.

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She said it was important to establish whether the charges were environmental user fees imposed under national environmental and protected-area laws or entrance fees authorized by a local government ordinance or an agreement with a tourism destination operator.

“These are not necessarily the same and may have different legal bases, purposes, and collecting authorities,” Villamor said.

She stressed that the provincial government had a legitimate interest because Bohol has several protected landscapes, seascapes, marine sanctuaries, and other environmentally significant destinations.

“If the matter involves a national policy, then we must understand its broader implications for the other protected seascapes and landscapes in Bohol,” she said.

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Villamor clarified that her initiative was not intended to undermine the authority of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Panglao municipal government, or other concerned agencies.

She also cautioned against assuming that accreditation automatically exempts tour guides from legally imposed fees.

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“While accreditation does not automatically entitle anyone to an exemption from a lawfully imposed fee, their circumstances deserve consideration, particularly when they enter these destinations in the performance of their professional responsibilities,” she said.

Villamor proposed referring the matter to the Committee on Tourism for an inquiry in aid of legislation, in coordination with other appropriate committees.

She recommended inviting representatives from the DENR, protected-area management authorities, DOT, Panglao municipal government, accredited tour guides, boat operators, and other tourism stakeholders.

The proposed inquiry would determine the exact nature and legal basis of the fees, the authorized collecting entity, the persons covered by the charges, and whether similar collection policies are being implemented in other protected destinations in Bohol.

It would also examine possible legislative recommendations and measures to improve coordination between national agencies and local government units.

The issue stemmed from an open letter by tourism stakeholders asking the Panglao Municipal Tourism Office to exempt licensed and DOT-accredited tour guides from entrance fees when accompanying tourists to Balicasag Island.

Balicasag Island, located about 6 kilometers southwest of Panglao, Bohol, is a premier marine sanctuary and world-renowned diving and snorkeling destination. 

In the letter, the guides said they were not merely visitors but tourism professionals responsible for educating guests about local culture, history, traditions, and environmental conservation.

They also appealed for the proposed exemption to cover qualified accredited guides regardless of whether they reside in Panglao or other municipalities.

The stakeholders said entrance fees were needed to maintain and protect tourism destinations but argued that tour guides’ professional responsibilities should also be considered.

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“This is not about avoiding responsibilities or creating conflict. This is about fairness, recognition, and proper coordination,” the letter said.

Villamor said the concern should be viewed within the broader goal of sustainable tourism, which requires balancing environmental protection, economic development and the welfare of communities dependent on the industry.

“We want our protected areas preserved. We want our environmental policies respected. We want our tourism professionals treated fairly. And we want our local communities to benefit from a sustainable tourism industry,” she said.

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“Environmental protection and tourism development should go hand in hand,” she added./coa