Canyoneering in 2 towns recommended stopped

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) wants to suspend canyoneering operations in Alegria and Badian towns until safety issues are addressed.

“Mura’g wala naman madisiplina… kinahanglan na totokan… delikado na kung magpadayon karon padulong ang La Niña… mokusog ang tubig nya ang mga tawo, simbako lang, naay mangamatay ba so ato nang i-revisit ang policy,” said PDRRMO head Baltazar Tribunalo.

He said he will recommend to the mayors of Alegria and Badian, as well as to Governor Hilario Davide, to issue orders to suspend the operations starting June 1.

Last week, a team from PDRRMO visited the canyoneering sites for assessment and found out there have been four reports of accidents since January this year.

The team also learned that there are guides without proper training.

Gadie Barro, the media relations officer of Alegria town, said though that their tour guides are trained in swiftwater rescue and first aid.

Tribunalo said the team discovered that a portion at the canyoneering site needs to be assessed properly because it appears vulnerable to collapse.

 “Portion na sya sa canyoneering… bato ni sya nga duol sa sapa… we are afraid nga tingale mu-collapse kay agianan sa mga tawo.. kuyawan ta nga dunay moagi unya mataymingan nya mag-ulan-ulan, mo-slide to nya mabuak, mag-collapse… it will cause accident,” he said.

He added that rules for habal-habal drivers should also be put in place as the ones serving tourists now are not registered as official transportation.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale told The Freeman Tribunalo has recommended a two-month suspension.

She personally supports the recommendation but will have to wait for Davide to issue the executive order.

“Maghuwat pa ta ni gov kay maghimo pa man siya ug executive order,” she said.

Because canyoneering is considered an extreme sport that involves rough activities like rafting and jumping off a waterfall, Magpale said high safety standards must be observed and put in place.

“The facilities are there except that kinahanglan ang ordinance requiring that one tour guide for two tourists,” she said.

“We are not that ready. Medyo high risk ang tourism. Kuwang pa gyud sa orientation maong naay ma-accidents,” she admitted.

It was last year when the provincial government approved two new ecotourism activities: the river cruise in Tabuelan and canyoneering in Alegria and Badian. — (FREEMAN)