Aurora Resort Issued Temporary Closure Order After Tragic Ateneo Drownings

Hermanos Leisure Farm in Dipaculao, Aurora, has been served a temporary closure order by the local government, following the tragic drowning of two Ateneo varsity men's basketball players at the property.

The name of the resort is not in the updated list of accredited establishments, readily available through the Department of Tourism website. A DOT official has likewise confirmed that the resort is not accredited. Because of this, the national agency lacks the jurisdiction to impose direct legal penalties or fines. Instead, the maximum consequence fell to the local government unit (LGU), resulting in the temporary suspension of the resort's operations, confirmed another DOT official.

A DOT accreditation serves as a vital safety guarantee, proving a venue meets rigorous standards for secure, high-quality, and reliable operations.

Among those that may apply for DOT accreditation are Primary Tourism Enterprises (PTE), which include hotels, resorts, apartment hotels, mabuhay accommodations (like tourist inns, motels, pension houses, and bed and breakfasts), and homestays. DOT-certified primary tourism enterprises shall be periodically required to obtain accreditation from DOT to ensure the quality of their facilities and services.

Yet, compliance in Aurora remains staggeringly low. Out of more than 150 accommodations listed by the Aurora provincial government, only 42 hold active DOT accreditation, representing a mere 28 percent compliance rate. The vast majority of these certified properties—37 to be exact—are budget-friendly "Mabuhay" accommodations.

On the DOT website's list of accredited hotels and resorts, there are only seven establishments—all listed as Mabuhay Accommodations—in Dipaculao: Alvarez Resort Hotel, Belle Vita Beach Resort, La Sunshine Beach Resort, Sand and Stars Beach Resort, Teresita Beach Resort, Porto Novo Hotel, and Batis Ni Juan Leisureland.

In addition, the incident has also exposed regulatory gaps between national tourism standards and local business permitting. Under the Tourism Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 9593), as well as multiple Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) directives, LGUs are technically required to ensure that primary tourism enterprises secure DOT credentials before they are allowed to operate.

Hermanos Leisure Farm is located in Dipaculao, a municipality north of Baler, which is the more famous surf tourism destination. Unlike Baler's Sabang Beach, which is dotted with hotels, resorts, and other tourism establishments, Hermanos sits on an isolated stretch of coastline facing the Pacific Ocean. Waters in the area are often described as highly unpredictable, even outside the Habagat season. Surfers and swimmers face severe undertow risks, where retreating waves can rapidly wash the sand out from under a person's feet. Even in waist-deep water, massive waves can easily overwhelm individuals and pull them out to sea.

While Aurora’s official surfing season spans October to February, the off-peak months from June to August are frequently plagued by erratic weather and sudden monsoon thunderstorms. Despite these hazards, the province remains a massive draw for local travelers. DOT data notes that Aurora welcomed over 653,000 overnight guests in 2024, with 99.7 percent of those visitors being domestic tourists drawn to the region's branding as the birthplace of Philippine surfing.

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