Sagada, Philippines Cracks Down On Fraudulent Travel Agencies, Imposes Bans On Unethical Operators

Published on August 28, 2025

Sagada, a well-known tourer destination successful nan Philippines’ Mountain Province, has taken important measures to safeguard its home tourism assemblage by enforcing strict laws against dishonest and unethical behaviour. The section authorities has enforced terrible penalties successful consequence to important grievances and incidents involving recreation agencies and operators who falsely advertised Sagada’s attractions. The town, which is renowned for its earthy beauty and rich | taste legacy, is dedicated to making judge that its tourism-related activities proceed to beryllium genuine and adjuvant to nan neighbourhood.

The Resolution Against Fraudulent Tour Operators

On August 8, 2025, nan Municipal Council of Sagada passed Resolution 139-2025, which temporarily suspended respective recreation and circuit companies and individuals accused of unethical practices. These suspensions were nan consequence of thorough investigations that uncovered superior violations successful nan tourism sector. The companies successful mobility were recovered to beryllium engaged successful diplomatic actions specified arsenic utilizing unauthorised images from morganatic accommodations to beforehand their services online. This misleading advertizing led to a mediocre acquisition for visitors, yet harming Sagada’s estimation arsenic a trusted destination for travellers.

The investigation revealed that these unethical practices were not isolated incidents but portion of a broader inclination of fraud and misrepresentation. The solution specifically cited cases wherever visitors were misled by online promotions that falsely portrayed Sagada’s accommodations and attractions, resulting successful dissatisfaction and mistrust.

Targeted Individuals and Agencies

Further investigation by Sagada’s section governing assemblage culminated successful nan passing of Resolution 156-2025 connected August 26, 2025. This solution formally declared Rona Shane Laceda Sanchez and her business partners arsenic undesirable individuals wrong nan municipality. Sanchez, on pinch her partners, was accused of moving aggregate fraudulent tourism operations nether nan sanction Footstep Travel and Tours. As a result, nan solution specifically banned Sanchez from operating wrong Sagada’s jurisdiction and warned different tourism-accredited businesses against collaborating pinch her.

The municipality made it clear that immoderate business recovered moving pinch Sanchez would look contiguous and indefinite suspension of their business permits and accreditations. The authorities besides took action against different cardinal individuals progressive successful unethical practices. These included Bryan Pineda Bonifacio, nan proprietor of BOOOK and GOO Travel and Tours, and nan operators of Footstep Travel and Tours, whose actions were deemed to person caused important harm to Sagada’s section tourism industry.

Suspensions and Bans connected Local Guides and Businesses

Not only were recreation agencies and circuit operators affected by these measures, but section guides and businesses were besides penalised for their engagement successful these unethical practices. Members of nan Sagada Environmental Tour Guides Organisation (SETGO), including Theodore Dangkiw, on pinch representatives from Nessey Lodge, were handed a one-month suspension for their portion successful nan violations.

The section authorities made it clear that these sanctions were not meant to target individual businesses aliases operators but were basal to protect nan integrity of nan tourism sector. The suspensions were seen arsenic a captious measurement successful addressing nan harm caused by fraudulent practices and ensuring that Sagada’s tourism situation remains trustworthy and sustainable.

Failure to Comply pinch Hearings and Legal Consequences

The sanctions were further extended to individuals and companies that grounded to look during scheduled hearings to respond to nan complaints revenge against them. Among those banned indefinitely from operating successful Sagada were Najarah Bansao of Van South Travel and Tours, Pheey Fey Feid Darang, Bashit Darang, Barry Estrimos, Edmer Albay, and Arce Buendia. Their nonaccomplishment to prosecute pinch nan investigation and coming their broadside of nan lawsuit led to a imperishable prohibition connected their information successful Sagada’s tourism activities.

The section authorities emphasised nan value of practice pinch ineligible processes, noting that those who ignored charismatic summons aliases grounded to respond to nan allegations faced terrible repercussions. This move was aimed astatine fostering a much transparent and accountable tourism industry, wherever each parties run pinch integrity.

A Call for Ethical Tourism Practices

Despite these setbacks, Sagada remains committed to welcoming responsible and ethical tourists. Mayor Felicito Dula, alongside nan municipal council, emphasised nan value of ensuring that tourism operations successful Sagada are beneficial to some nan section organization and visitors. The authorities are wished to support Sagada’s estimation arsenic a safe and sustainable destination for travellers while preventing exploitation and unethical practices.

The solution besides called connected section tourism operators to adhere strictly to established tourism ordinances, ensuring that some visitors and nan section organization use from a thriving, ethical tourism economy. Several section operators person been reminded of nan value of complying pinch these rules to debar imaginable sanctions.

Tourism businesses for illustration Dinno De Jesus of Biyahe ni Dino, Joycel Sanchez of Sister Travel and Tours, Jewel Sanchez Rusiana of Jaha Travel and Tours, Lara Lanz Oy, and Rommel Lobos person been specifically reminded to run pinch afloat compliance pinch section laws and regulations. This telephone for work reflects nan municipality’s broader imagination of building a tourism manufacture that serves some visitors and nan section organization successful a adjacent and honorable manner.

Sagada’s Commitment to Sustainable Tourism

The section authorities of Sagada has stated unequivocally that it opposes immoderate benignant of exploitation aliases deceptive behaviour successful nan tourism manufacture and supports civilized and sustainable tourism practices. The municipality’s actions show a beardown committedness to upholding nan integrity of Sagada’s tourism assemblage while making judge that companies behaviour themselves ethically. The authorities are dedicated to upholding an unfastened and responsible tourism situation going forward, wherever each operators and individuals travel nan strictest guidelines for professionalism and ethics.

[Image Source: Mountain Province Tourism Website]