‘Usapang Legal’ Webinar Deepens Legal Literacy Among Hospitality and Tourism Students

On November 29, 2025, the Faculty of Hospitality, Tourism, and Management successfully conducted a webinar titled Usapang Legal, attended by all Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM) and Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) students. The event served as an essential learning platform to deepen students’ understanding of the legal frameworks governing the hospitality and tourism industries.

The program instructors facilitated the webinar, Dr. Dinah F. Catamco and Mr. Warren Joseph U. Campijiyos, who formally opened the session by emphasizing the importance of legal literacy among future hospitality and tourism professionals. They highlighted how awareness of industry-related laws not only ensures compliance but also enhances ethical decision-making, guest security, and operational integrity.

To enrich the discussion, two distinguished guest speakers were invited. The first resource person was Atty. Maria Fiona D. Merquita, a local attorney from Bontoc, Southern Leyte. She provided an insightful overview of national laws that regulate hospitality and tourism operations, including business compliance requirements, consumer protection policies, labor standards, and legal responsibilities of establishments toward guests. Atty. Merquita also discussed practical scenarios encountered within the Philippine tourism landscape, allowing students to contextualize how these legal concepts apply in real-world settings.

The second speaker, Dr. Le Anh Van of Vietnam, delivered an international perspective on tourism and hospitality laws. He elaborated on global best practices, international agreements, and the evolving legal structures that influence cross-border tourism activities. Dr. Van also compared legal frameworks between Southeast Asian countries, underscoring the need for culturally sensitive, law-abiding practices in an increasingly interconnected tourism environment.

Throughout the webinar, the students were highly engaged, raising relevant questions that reflected their interest in understanding how legal principles shape industry operations. Discussions covered topics such as guest rights, ethical service delivery, risk management, and legal implications of emerging industry trends.

The webinar concluded with closing remarks from the faculty, expressing gratitude to the speakers and participants. The event successfully enhanced students’ awareness of legal responsibilities in hospitality and tourism, equipping them with the knowledge essential to their future professional roles.

Overall, Usapang Legal was a timely and meaningful academic initiative that strengthened students’ competence and preparedness to address the legal challenges they may encounter in the dynamic hospitality and tourism industry.