DOT Region 9 Accreditation

𝗗𝗢𝗧 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗬

To our valued stakeholders, please be advised that the DOT Online Accreditation System is undergoing server maintenance and will be temporarily unavailable starting February 24, 2026 until February 26, 2026.

Our Regional Offices shall continue to assist you in your accreditation concerns. Please bear with us as we improve our system to serve you better.

𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗬

𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

The Department of Tourism through the Office of Tourism Standards and Regulation-Standards Monitoring and Enforcement Division (OTSR-SMED) is temporarily suspending the conduct of Star Rating Classification Assessment for Hotels, Resorts and Apartment Hotels (HRAs) effective immediately until further notice. The suspension is due to the ongoing review and enhancement of the current assessment guidelines and process to ensure alignment with the 2024 National Accommodation Standards (NAS).

During this period, all on-site assessments shall be deferred, including re-assessment requests for previously evaluated properties. All applications received prior to the issuance of this Advisory shall be given priority once the conduct of Star Rating Assessment resumes.

We understand the importance of the National Accommodation Standards or the Star Rating Classification Program and assure everyone that this pause is intended to ensure improved efficiency, transparency, and overall service quality upon resumption. The Regional Offices will continue to process new and renewal applications for accreditation of accommodation establishments.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work towards improving the quality and accuracy of our star rating system. Further updates will be issued accordingly.

𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄-𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐌 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐄! – 𝐏𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐎 𝐃𝐄𝐋 𝐒𝐔𝐑 (𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐋, 𝐈𝐍𝐂.) – 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐌 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒

The Department of Tourism proudly announces that PALACIO DEL SUR has once again been recognized as one of the Philippine awardees of the prestigious ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards 2026, under the ASEAN MICE Venue – Event Venue Category.

This marks Palacio del Sur’s THIRD CONSECUTIVE ASEAN TOURISM STANDARDS AWARD, a testament to its sustained excellence and leadership in the MICE sector:

🏆 2020 – ASEAN MICE Venue (Meeting Room Category)
🏆 2024 – ASEAN MICE Venue (Event Venue Category)
🏆 2026 – ASEAN MICE Venue (Event Venue Category)

Palacio del Sur continues to set a benchmark for quality and professionalism, consistently meeting the rigorous ASEAN standards through comprehensive nomination processes, meticulous site validations, and strict evaluations.

As the sole awardee representing Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) in this category, Palacio del Sur brings pride not only to the region but also to the Philippine tourism industry.

The Department of Tourism commends Palacio del Sur (Marcian Garden Hotel, Inc.) for its unwavering commitment to excellence and for continuously elevating the standards of Philippine MICE venues on the ASEAN stage

The awarding ceremony will take place on 30 January 2026 at the Grand Ballroom, Nustar Resort, Cebu, Philippines, in celebration of outstanding tourism stakeholders across the ASEAN region.

𝗗𝗢𝗧 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗬

To our valued stakeholders, please be advised that the DOT Online Accreditation System will be undergoing server maintenance and will be temporarily unavailable starting November 3, 2025, 9:00am until November 5, 2025 12:00am.

Our Regional Offices shall continue to assist you in your accreditation concerns. Kindly bear with us as we improve our system to serve you better.

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗱𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀

On the sidelines of the signing of memorandum of agreement for the Lampinigan S.A.N.D.S. project on Wednesday (Oct. 29), Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco met local community guides of Isabela de Basilan, recognizing their hard work and efforts to ensure that tourists get to see, learn, and experience the best of their island’s destinations.

As a personal token of gratitude, Secretary Frasco distributed tour guide kits containing a portable lapel, tumbler, hat, shades, sunscreen, journal, and pen, all provided to aid community guides in their daily engagements and service to tourists.

Further, Secretary Frasco also gave the 10 community guides accident insurance worth P50,000 from her own resources, underscoring her commitment to empowering individuals that keep the country’s tourism landscape vibrant.

“Through your collective efforts, the tourism sector continues to open doors of opportunity — not only for travelers but also for local communities. We hope to continue strengthening our partnership and gaining more support from the Department of Tourism in the years ahead,” said HapIsabela Tour Guides President Gabriel Oriño Caro Jr. on behalf of his peers.

𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦! 📢

The Department of Tourism's Multilingual Tour Guide Training Program is open for registration!

If you are proficient in a foreign language (preferably European) aside from English, meet the educational requirements (completed Senior High School / 2nd Year College), and are ready to be a professional guide, apply now.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: October 27 - December 11, 2025 (𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦)

Limited slots available on a first-come, first-served basis!

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://bit.ly/2025RTGRegistrationForm

For questions, kindly email: [email protected]

𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟗!

October is filled with vibrant celebrations across Zamboanga Peninsula.

When traveling, always Transact with DOT-Accredited Tourism Enterprises only. DOT9 List of Accredited Enterprises: https://bit.ly/DOT9AccreditedTEs

HOW TO VERIFY:
1. Look for the current DOT Sticker and Certificate clearly displayed at the establishment's entrance or reception.
2. When transacting online, request to see the Certificate and SCAN THE QR CODE It must verify the business's authenticity and status on the official DOT website.
3. For Tours, your Tour Guide must carry a valid DOT-issued ID as proof of their accreditation.
4. Always verify if accreditation certificates and IDs are valid and updated.

For festival schedules, activities, and local advisories, visit the official pages of the LGUs in Region 9.

Zamboanga City: https://www.facebook.com/turismolocalzamboanga

Dipolog City:
https://www.facebook.com/dipolog.tourismoffice

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: “𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧”

This World Tourism Day, we celebrate DOT-accredited establishments and the frontliners whose dedication keeps Philippine tourism alive and thriving.” 🌏✨

From hotels to tour guides, their hard work ensures safe, sustainable, and memorable experiences for every traveler. Their resilience and warmth reflect the true Filipino spirit rising stronger, together.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭

As long as there are tour guides to tell our stories, the Philippines will never lose its voice.
As long as there are tour guides to welcome the world, the Philippines will never lose its heart.
As long as there are tour guides who love our islands, the Philippines will never lose its soul.

𝐃𝐎𝐓 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐘:

To our valued stakeholders, please be advised that the DOT Online Accreditation System has been inaccessible since September 1, 2025, due to ongoing server maintenance and is tentatively expected to be available again by September 12, 2025.

We shall continue to assist you in your accreditation concerns. Kindly bear with us as we continue to improve our system to serve you better.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Thank you.