In Ginatilan and Malabuyoc: Guv suspends canyoneering

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government has temporarily closed and suspended the canyoneering activities in the municipalities of Ginatilan and Malabuyoc as a precautionary measure to ensure safety among tourists.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has issued Executive Order No. 23, which took effect yesterday, and asked the Philippine National Police to strictly monitor the implementation of the EO.

The governor made the decision after meeting with the mayors of Badian, Alegria, Ginatilan, and Malabuyoc as well as tour operators on Tuesday.

In the governor’s EO, the Capitol reportedly recently received reports of risky canyoneering activities conducted by untrained and/or unaccredited tour guides in the said municipalities.

It said that there is an urgent need to temporarily close and suspend canyoneering activities in these municipalities pending the required specialized training and accreditation for tour guides; and the enactment of appropriate local ordinances and rules regulating such activities, to ensure the safety and well-being of the touring public.

“Any injury or mishap resulting from the gross neglect of the possible dangers that unqualified canyoneering tour guides may cause to the public would definitely adversely affect the tourism industry of Cebu,” read part of the EO.

The Capitol has been exercising its power to regulate canyoneering activities in the province and lay down the guidelines to be followed by the local government units and tour operators.

In a report by Sugbo News, the official Facebook page of the Cebu provincial government, the closure reportedly would give Capitol the time to lay down the necessary regulatory guidelines relating to canyoneering as it seeks to further improve how this famous tourism activity is done.

The provincial government will also set the guidelines and standardized safety gears for the tourists.

The governor added that part of the plan is to establish UHF radio communications among concerned stakeholders to ensure coordination and reliable communication channels. –/GAN (FREEMAN)