Board to be created to safeguard tourists

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government is set to create a Provincial Eco-Adventure Management Board that would ensure that tourists, local and international, are safe when they visit tourists sites in the province.

“For the creation of Provincial Eco-Adventure Management Board, kinahanglan i-discuss pud ang high-risk facilities—unsa’y mahimo nato para makatabang kanila (resorts owners) para di madaut ang mga turista,” said Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Information Officer Julius Regner.

Regner said starting Tuesday next week, representatives from the Department of Tourism, groups of tour operators and tour guides, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Provincial Engineering, Provincial Tourism Office, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Department of Transportation and Communication, and other concerned agencies will meet to discuss the matter.

The PDRRMO spokesperson said a separate group would also be created to come up with a list of dos and don’ts at resorts and private and public areas for sports and adventures.

Regner said among the activities considered high risk are canyoneering, diving and caving and hence guidelines controlling and regulating these must be in place.

He added that last July’s incident in Alegria where 26-year-old tour guide Aldrin Carba died while canyoneering with tourists prompted the provincial government to create the board.

What the board also aims to do is gather local tour guides so they will be oriented of the regulations the board will come up with. — Liv G. Campo/JMO (FREEMAN)