Kawasan falls closure order issued

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued an executive order directing the temporary closure of Kawasan Falls in Barangay Matutinao, Badian town, to tourists.

Department of Tourism-7 Regional Director Rowena Montecillo has also sent a regional advisory for all tourists to remove from their itinerary the Kawasan Adventure Tour until the reopening of the famous tourist destination is announced.

“Kawasan Falls is no longer what it used to be. It has lost its pristine nature and has become a victim of crass and ugly commercialism,” Garcia said.

Last Monday Garcia ordered the demolition of illegal structures around the falls that were supposed to be cleared by the owners last Sunday as agreed.

But the structures were still there, including the embankments and ripraps that are blocking the river flow, Garcia said, to accommodate tables and chairs.

“The order to close is to remind these exploitative operators who would destroy the goose that lays the golden egg in order to make fast money,” she said.

To boot, the operators have no business and mayor's permit to do business at the falls, the governor said.

During the meeting after the site inspection last Monday, Garcia asked the municipal council of Badian to pass an ordinance declaring Kawasan Falls as a municipal park.

The governor also requested Cebu 2nd district Rep. Pablo Garcia to sponsor a bill declaring Kawasan Falls as a Protected Area.

During the site inspection last Monday, one of the affected operators insisted that his and the other structures should not be demolished without a court order, which irked Garcia all the more.

Garcia said the provincial government asked the operators to demolish their structures built within the 20-meter easement zone two years ago.

Before Holy week, Garcia again issued notices for the demolition of the illegal structures, but heeded the residents' appeal to give them until April 15 to demolish their structures.

When she visited the area yesterday, she was irked to see that the residents still had not complied with the agreement. –(FREEMAN)