A tourist’s much-anticipated day off turned into a distressing experience after he and his family allegedly faced verbal harassment from a resort staff member in Barangay Punta Bulata in Cauayan town, Negros Occidental.
Leonard, the complainant, said he and his family were supposed to celebrate a birthday and take a break from work on Sunday, March 9, when the confrontation happened.
He told Brigada News FM-Kabankalan that while staying at Pearl Beach Resort, a staff member from the nearby Rory and Edlaine Resort confronted them after they took photos near a pump boat owned by the latter.
Leonard alleged that the staff member hurled derogatory insults at them instead of addressing the issue in a respectful manner.
In a video posted by Leonard on his Facebook account, he tried to de-escalate the situation, but the staff member continued behaving unprofessionally.
He also questioned the resort’s legality, claiming it had received multiple complaints before and might not have the necessary permits.
Other guests at Pearl Beach Resort also reported that the same resort’s staff verbally insulted their children while they played by the shore.
Leonard, who has visited multiple resorts locally and abroad, said he had never experienced such treatment before. He added that he and his family reported the incident to village officials.
He called on municipal officials to close what he labeled a ” cheap resort.”
LGU’s response
Town Councilor Greg Carlo Sumogat assured the public that the local government remains committed to maintaining the municipality’s reputation as a tourist-friendly destination.
“The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cauayan firmly opposes any actions that tarnish its reputation as a growing tourism destination. Such behavior not only undermines the integrity of our community but also jeopardizes the positive impression we strive to create for visitors,” he said.
“We are committed to fostering a welcoming and respectful environment, ensuring that Cauayan remains an appealing choice for tourists. It is essential that we uphold our values and protect the image of our beloved town to preserve its potential for growth and development in the tourism sector,” Sumogat added.
Meanwhile, Cauayan’s committee on tourism chair Lloyd Kevin Guanzon said that the municipal government will take the necessary actions regarding the incident.
He added that the Municipal Tourism Office approved Rory and Edlaine Resort’s permit renewal, allowing it to operate.
However, after the incident, he told Brigada News FM that they are now working closely with the tourism office to address the matter and will provide updates once they conclude the investigation.
Rory and Edlaine Resort’s management has not yet commented on the issue.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.