Executive Order No. 24-160-Monatorium on the issuance of new business permits for tour operators, travel and Tour Agencies- Palawan

BAGONG PILIPINAS Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, EDSA cor. Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City www.dilg.gov.ph DILG OPINION NO. 32... §. 20% JUN 10 2026 STANISLAV IVANOVICH LUKASHOV President, Palawan Tours Sea Quest OPC Corong-Corong, Barangay 4, El Nido, Palawan sbs.elnido@gmail.com Subject: Request to Immediately Direct the Municipality of El Nido, Palawan to Suspend Enforcement of Executive Order No. 24-160 Dear Mr. Lukashov: This has reference to your letter concerning the Executive Order No. (EO) 24-160, entitled “An Order Declaring a Moratorium on the Issuance of New Business Permits for Tour Operators, Travel and Tour Agencies, and Booking Offices until December 31, 2025” enacted by the Municipality of El Nido, Palawan. As can be gleaned from your letter, the Municipal Mayor of El Nido issued EO 24-160, which imposes a moratorium on the issuance of new business permits for tour operators, travel and tour agencies, and booking offices until 31 December 2025. The EO is said to expressly state that among its purposes is to “redistribute income to existing operators.” Pursuant to Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 24-16, the Municipality of El Nido allegedly requires mandatory membership in the Bacuit El Nido Licensed Tour Operators Association (BELTOA), a private tourism association, as a condition for obtaining the Local Tourism Standards Certification (LTSC), which in turn is treated as a prerequisite for the issuance of local business permits. On 4 June 2025, the Municipality of El Nido issued and posted a Notice of Violation (NOV) on your office door without affording you prior hearing, and there are threats of the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order (CDO). According to you, during an official municipal meeting on 2 June 2025, a certain SB member named Rosano Llanera openly declared: “We do not take orders from national agencies,” which you view as indicative of blatant disregard of the oversight of national authorities. Hence, your request for this Department to immediately direct the Municipality of El Nido to suspend enforcement of EO 24-160 and provide legal opinion thereto. This Department opines. Foremost, please be apprised that this Department, in its previous legal opinions, has been consistent that inasmuch as the local ordinance, resolution, or order has undergone the procedural process for its enactment pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991, the same is considered valid unless declared otherwise by courts. “Matino, Mahusay at Maaasahan” Trunkline No. (02) 8876 3454