‘Closed’ resorts back in operation

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Resorts and other establishments within the Northern Negros Natural Park in Patag and Guimbalaon tourist destination areas in Silay City, Negros Occidental that were closed after being issued cease-and-desist orders for lack of the necessary permits to operate are now back to normal operations.

Mayor Mark Golez revealed the development in a press conference after he filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for a last and third term.

Golez said these businesses are now considered “legal” after owners of resorts, coffee shops and lodging houses, complied with all the requirements.

He said an ordinance was enacted creating the Silay-Patag-Guimbalaon Development Management Authority, which was also approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental.

The city government of Silay ordered the closure of all establishments at the Patag and Guimbalaon areas for failure of the owners to pay business taxes, among other mandated fees.

The mayor said that the newly-enacted ordinance requires owners of commercial establishments in the multi-purpose use zones of NNNP in Brgys. Patag and Guimbalaon, Silay City, to write a letter of intent and submit their development plans, among other requirements, to the city government, which will endorse it to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) for approval, prior to issuance of temporary business permits.

With the issuance of business permits, they may now pay taxes to the government, Golez said.

“Slowly, we were able to legalize the illegal,” he said.