Some foreigners in Oriental Negros are complaining about the higher entrance fees they have to pay, compared to residents, in some tourist spots in the province.

Myla Abellana, provincial tourism officer, said her office has been asked why foreigners are made to pay P100 as entrance fee to the Lake Balinsasayao, and local visitors only P10.

Abellana said she brought this to the attention of Gov. George Arnaiz who said that the fee was set by a resolution from the Protected Area Management Board, the policy-making body for identified protected areas. He also said, that the resolution had been approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, she added.

Abellana said she also relayed to the governor the complaint of both local and foreign tourists against the increasing fees collected by operators of motorized boat or pumpboat ferrying passengers to Apo Island in Dauin town. Arnaiz, she said, has assured the Dauin government that the province will help in the construction of a wharf for sea crafts bound for Apo.

Once the facility is functional, the government can easily regulate the operation of pumpboat operators, the governor added.*RA

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