Barbers made the move as part of the continued implementation of the PTA’s "Culture of Tourism" program.
A memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Mayors Emilio Ramon Ejercito of Pagsanjan, Wilfredo Paraiso of Lumban and Floro Esguerra of Cavinti was signed last Jan. 31 at the PTA Auditorium.
Witnessing the signing were PTA deputy for asset management Lydia Cosuco, Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 4 director Louella Jurilla and councilors of the three towns.
With the signing of the agreement, the three municipalities are empowered to jointly oversee the operation and regulation of boat rides and bamboo rafts within the river’s two-kilometer stretch, which passes through 16 barangays.
The local communities, in turn, will reap economic benefits from the sharing of profits from fees collected from the river tours.
Each municipality will also be responsible in ensuring the safety and security of tourists within its jurisdiction.
"We have always believed that local communities and local government units should be directly involved in the development, promotion and management of the country’s tourism sites," Barbers said.
Under the agreement, Barbers said a coordinating committee will be created with representatives from the three towns, the provincial government, the DOT and PTA, which will oversee the overall tourism growth and development of the Pagsanjan Gorge National Park, a declared tourism zone.
The PTA, among other functions, is mandated to manage tourism zones all over the country.
Formally named Pagsanjan Gorge National Park, the Pagsanjan Falls was declared a tourism zone by virtue of Presidential Decree 1551 on May 31, 1976.