By Marisol Bo-oc, Helen Castano| 04:01 AM August 03, 2022
Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado on Tuesday ordered an investigation to shed light on reports alleging that overpriced food are being sold to tourists visiting the province’s Virgin Island.
“Atong gi mando-an ang SP na ipa imbistegar ang mga panghitabo. Ug pasalamat mi sa Social Media kay naka hatag ni ug ligon na rason aron maka craft na ang Sanggunian Panlalawigan ug mga resolutions or ordinances na maka hatag ug protection ug kahapsay sa mga tourista na sa dugay panahon gipahimoslan sa pipipla ka negosyante sa Panglao ug uban kalungsoran. Atong hatagan ug insaktong serbisyo ug angayan panggaon nato ang mga tourista isip atong bisita kay sila ang gahatag ug panginabuhian nato,” Aumentado posted on his official Facebook account.
Aumentado said expressed dismay and disappointment upon learning that several tourists complained of paying for pricey food not only in Virgin Island including other tourism-related services in the province.
“Ug magpatawag ta og emergency meeting, ang Provincial Government, DENR ug LGU Panglao uban sa Tourism Sector nga maoy apektado sa mga panghitabo. Ug apil ko nga na dismaya sa panghitabo isip amahan sa probinsya,” he said.
He said the government will have to intervene.
“We will fix this!,” he said.
He urged the Provincial Board to come up with ordinances and other policies to regulate the province’s tourism industry and protect consumers’ welfare.
The governor also said that he supported the decision of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to close Virgin Island pending investigation on the incident of overpriced seafood sold in the area.
