The city government of Makati on Thursday closed down Berjaya Makati Hotel in compliance with a decision issued by the Department of Tourism (DOT) after a Filipino traveler from the US broke quarantine protocols at the facility.
Makati spokesman Atty. Don Camiña said, “DOT issued a decision stating—WHEREFORE, the recommendation of DOT-NCR [National Capital Region] is affirmed.”
Camiña cited that the respondent Berjaya Makati Hotel Makati is hereby penalized thus:
1. For violation for health and safety protocols issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force (DOT AO 2021-004-A Section 36(h), a fine of P13,200; and
2. For failure to comply with RA No. 11332 (DOT M.C. 2018-03 Sec. 13.2.1 (h), a three-month suspension of its DOT accreditation.
“Considering that Berjaya’s DOT Accreditation has been suspended, City is closing it since only hotels with DOT accreditation can operate at this time under relevant DOT and IATF guidelines,” Camiña stressed.
Camiña added that prior to its closure, Berjaya was already advised to coordinate with the Bureau of Quarantine for the transfer of its remaining guests to other facilities. The city offered to assist the hotel management if needed.
“Berjaya should not skirt the issue. Its negligence has been established and admitted. Laws have been broken, and the welfare and safety of the community have been put to risk,” Camiña pointed out.
The management should not play the aggrieved victim, he added.
Earlier, Berjaya Hotel Makati was sent a show-cause order by DOT-National Capital Region Officer in Charge Sharlene Zabala-Batin on December 29, 2021, after the agency found out that one of its guests, a certain Gwyneth Anne Chua, “was allegedly able to leave your hotel and was seen in a bar in Poblacion, Makati on 23 December 2021, despite being under mandatory quarantine.”
There were screen captures of TikTok videos of Chua and her friends attached by DOT to the show-cause order.
The hotel then was told to explain in three days from the receipt of the DOT-NCR’s show-cause order, why they should not be penalized.
Chua tested positive of Covid-19.