BAGAC, Bataan – The local government of Bagac is reminding visitors about the P40 environmental fee collected from all tourists entering resorts and other tourist destinations in the municipality, as part of a municipal ordinance implemented in April 2024.
Senior Tourism Operations Officer Leonardo Herbon explained that the environmental fee is required for every tourist and is valid for four days, covering all attractions within the municipality — not just the resorts.
“We have a municipal ordinance here in Bagac, and under that ordinance, all tourists are required to pay a P40 environmental fee. This is a one-time payment valid for four days, and if a tourist stays longer or returns after four days, another P40 will be collected for the next four-day period,” Herbon said.
To streamline the process, designated collection booths have been set up in barangays that host tourist attractions.
These booths are manned by uniformed municipal and barangay staff wearing official IDs, and they also function as tourism information centers to assist visitors with any questions.
The booths, however, do not operate 24/7. In cases where tourists enter attractions directly without passing a collection point, municipal collecting agents conduct random inspections.
If a tourist is found without a valid environmental ticket, they will be required to pay the fee on the spot and will be issued an official receipt and ticket with a unique serial number.
“Our agents are in proper uniform and carry official IDs. We urge tourists to always ask for these before making any payments. Do not pay anyone who cannot show proper identification, does not issue a ticket, or seems unofficial,” Herbon stressed.
For large tour groups or buses, some resorts coordinate directly with the collection booths to ease traffic congestion at entry points. In such cases, tourists are allowed to proceed and are collected the fee inside the resort premises by authorized personnel.
Bagac residents are exempt from the environmental fee. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities are entitled to a 20 percent discount upon presentation of valid IDs.
Other charges such as entrance fees, parking, and service fees collected by the resorts are not covered by the local government and are at the discretion of the resort management.
The municipal tourism office encourages all visitors to remain vigilant and transact only with authorized personnel.
“Please don’t forget to get your tickets and receipts upon payment. Beware of unauthorized individuals who attempt to collect fees without issuing official tickets or receipts,” Herbon added.
For inquiries and concerns, the public is advised to contact the Bagac Tourism Office at 0915-941-7345 or through their official Facebook page: Bagac Tourism.
This initiative aims to preserve the natural beauty of Bagac while enhancing the tourism experience through sustainable and organized practices. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)