Some water parks and beach resorts operating in Bacolod City have been closed for violating health and safety protocols while the city is under general community quarantine amid the coronavirus disease 2019.
The Caribbean Water Park and Resotel at Goldenfield Commercial Complex was shut down on Thursday, Nov. 12, for defying COVID-19 quarantine restrictions and for lack of business permit.
The Emergency Operations Center-Task Force deployed its composite team to padlock the establishment after receiving reports of its violations.
City Administrator Em Ang, executive director of EOC-TF, said that after learning that the establishment allowed the holding of a children’s party, their team did an ocular inspection, and saw children below 15 years old and adults consuming alcoholic drinks in the place.
The City Permits and Licensing Division also confirmed that the establishment has no business permit.
Under GCQ, beaches, resorts, waterparks, and similar industries are not yet allowed to operate.
Earlier this week, beach resorts and similar establishments in Barangay Punta Taytay were also closed due to violations of quarantine restrictions and minimum health standards.
According to Police Station 9, a number of people had been seen visiting the beaches in previous days without observing health and safety protocols.
Lt. Gilbert Batiles, station commander, said establishment owners just decided to operate even without authority from the government.
Councilor Israel Salanga, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Tourism, said he is hoping that COVID-19 restrictions will soon be eased in Bacolod to allow beach resorts to reopen and revive the economy in coastal villages. – NLG
