After earning the ire of social media users, parents, and support groups for children, the controversial Cebu Plantation Bay luxury resort said it would improve its handling of guests with disabilities.
This came after resigning the property’s “resident shareholder” Emmanuel “Manny” C. Gonzalez last Dec. 15, who made headlines for his insensitive remarks toward a mother who visited the resort recently with his son with special needs.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) also confirmed to the Manila Bulletin that the property applied for the renewal of its Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO) last Nov. 26 through email, but it said the “renewal rests on the decision of its legal department.”
“It will include a modification of its booking and reservations procedures, which now include a more focused interface allowing guests to provide advance notice should any members of their group require special needs, According to the resort.
“This will allow the resort to make preparations before arrival and ensure a pleasant experience during their stay,” it said.
It also added that General Manager Cherry Allego, who is in charge of the property, will be “reconfiguring certain areas” as some of its clients, including the elderly and those with certain kinds of disability, “prefer low noise levels.” These include the remodeling of one of its freshwater swimming pools, exempt from the resort’s general ‘low noise level policy’ during scheduled times. A 1,000 sqm. Children’s Play Area will also be set aside “for more energetic children”.
“The resort is also currently planning further learning sessions for both management and staff, including inclusivity training for handling people with disabilities,” it said.
