The city council wants hotels, restaurants, and other similar establishments in the city to allow the cancellation of room reservations or scheduled activities in function halls such as weddings and baptisms and to refund the clients’ advance or full payments or allow their clients to reschedule their bookings.
The august body claimed that there have been reservations in hotels and other similar establishments even before the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Reservations for function halls in hotels or other similar establishments are, most often than not, accompanied with cash payments, either full or partial,” the city council said in a resolution.
To protect the interests of clients, the city council suggested giving clients the option whether to cancel or reschedule their bookings.
Councilor Lilia Fariñas, main author of the resolution, said those who placed reservations were not able to avail of the services because of the lockdowns due to the threats of the Covid-19.
“Given the current situation, I hope utmost consideration is given to clients who may not be able to get or maximize the services they have paid for,” Fariñas said.
Hotels and other accommodation establishments as well as restaurants have been allowed by the Department of Tourism to conduct business operations in places under the modified general community quarantine provided they only operate at 50 percent of their capacity.
Executive Order 95 s. 2020 allowed the operations of hotels, lodging, or hospitality establishments provided they only offer basic lodging and they have acquired a DOT Certificate of Authority to Operate. – Jordan G. Habbiling
