Korean-operated airport lounge’s business permit renewal on hold

ILOILO CITY—The municipal government of the capital town of Kalibo in Aklan will put on hold the renewal of the business permit of a Korean-operated airport lounge that has been accused by a Filipino soldier of discrimination.

 
But the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas said there is no “Korean-only” policy in the lounge as alleged by 1Lt. Ryan Layug.

READ: Soldier seeks DTI probe of ‘Korean-only’ airport lounge

 
Kalibo Mayor William Lachica said his office will wait for results of the investigation and recommendations of the provincial government related to the VIP lounge at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA).

 
“The province has conducted the investigation first and we will act accordingly based on their findings,” he told the INQUIRER.

READ: ‘Korean-only’ airport lounge probed

 
Layug’s complaint initially submitted to the Department of Trade and Industry has also been referred to the municipal government’s legal office.

 
The provincial tourism office will submit its report to the provincial board, according to provincial tourism officer Carina Quimpo-Ruiz.

 
The investigation was prompted by online and formal protests of Layug against the management of the lounge operated by the Doma Bem Hotel Corp.

 
Layug, executive officer of Bravo Company of the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion deployed in Surigao del Norte, earlier accused the management of the Korean-operated lounge of refusing him services on Jan. 1.