Some tourists in Baguio report being scammed by fake 'transient houses'

Some tourists in Baguio City reported being scammed in their accommodation booking amid the influx of people headed to the "Summer Capital of the Philippines" for the Holy Week. 

In Claire Lacanilao's report on "24 Oras" on Wednesday, one family experienced being duped after booking a reservation in a transient house online. 

"Nagbbrowse ako ng facebook and then nakita may nagpost doon sa transient house ng Baguio and nakita ko yung kausap ko ay scammer pala," said Lara Santos. 

(I was browsing Facebook and saw a post about a transient house. Then I realized that I was talking to a scammer.)

Baguio Tourism Office expects 100,000 people to visit the province for the Holy Week break. They expect most hotels and transient houses to be already fully booked. 

They also warned tourists about possible scammers offering fake accommodations.

"Planuhin natin ng maigi ang ating pagbyahe sa Baguio... Hangga't maaari may kausap na sana tayong accommodation establishments bago tayo umakyat ng Baguio para hindi tayo dito pa maghanap," said Rachelle Anne Montoya from the Baguio City Tourism Office. 

(We should plan our trip carefully. As much as possible, we should already have booking arrangements before we go.)

"Meron tayong mga listahan ng mga legitimate na businesses ng City or accommodation establishments sa visita.baguio.gov.ph," added Montoya. 

(We have a list of legitimate businesses or accommodation establishments on our website visita.baguio.gov.ph)

Because of the influx of tourists, the public is also warned about possible heavy traffic in the city during the long break. 

Baguio City, also known as "City of Pines", is a popular summer destination because of its cool weather. 

On Wednesday temperature reached 16.6 °C at 5 am. —VAL, GMA Integrated News