The popular Camp John Hay trails in Baguio City which existed even before World War 2 are now closed indefinitely due to tourists' irresponsible actions.
The closure aims to clean the trails and allow indigenous plants and trees to recover.
In a public advisory released by the John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC), it said that some visitors deliberately dump their trash and write graffiti on plant leaves on the Camp John Hay trails.
“Empty bottled water, food wraps, cigarette butts, wet wipes, and even diapers are being collected along the trails. These materials are flammable, more so when added with dried pine needles that with a single flick of cigarette butt can use a massive forest fire,” JHMC said.
Careful assessment and evaluation will be conducted by the management to ascertain whether or not CJH trails will still be viable for ecotourism use.
“Significant consideration shall be given on tourists’ and trekkers’ environmental responsibility to respect the trails otherwise it will be closed permanently,” it added.
The Department of Tourism (DoT) condemned this irresponsibility, citing that it has already coordinated with the JHMC for the immediate reassessment and formulation of environmental guidelines, including deployment of staff to monitor tourists, particularly trekkers.
A conduct of briefing for tourists before entry along with the prohibition to bring food while on the trail was also recommended.
“The DoT reminds tourists to practice responsible tourism and environmental stewardship, along with the compliance with the health and safety guidelines, to help revive the tourism industry amidst the pandemic,” it said.
Serving both as a tourist destination and forest watershed reservation in the Philippines’ summer capital, towering pine trees and mossy greens, diverse flora and fauna, historic underground portals, and enchanting caves which have withstood the test of time can be found around the area.
The biggest cave inside the camp was located just below Cottage 629 which narrates the story of Filipino heroism during World War II.
According to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) the most destructive war in Philippine history started and ended in Baguio City.