CEBU CITY — One of the top tourist destinations in southern Cebu was temporarily closed due to “continuing threat to the life and safety of the public.”
Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia issued Executive Order (EO) No. 14 ordering the temporary closure and suspension of canyoneering activities in Barangay Matutinao, Badian town, Cebu.
Garcia noted that canyoneering sites in Matutiano, including establishments near the Kawasan Falls, were severely damaged when typhoon "Odette" struck in December last year.
The damage “left debris and dangerous ruins which ought to be demolished to prevent unnecessary peril to the public,” read the governor’s EO.
Garcia added that an inspection at Kawasan Falls conducted by officials from the Badian Municipal Engineering Office, Badian Police Station, Badian Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Badian Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office on Feb. 16 revealed the presence of hazardous metallic spikes and structures illegally built within the defined easement zones of the falls.
A separate inspection also showed a “life-threatening” dangerous passage of water beside an abandoned dam, which is one of the famous canyoneering trails in Kawasan.
A series of verified reports showed “the need to abate these illegal structures and dangerous ruins within the defined easement of Kawasan Falls to ensure the safety and well-being of the public.”
The governor added that despite the findings of various government agencies, illegal structures and dangerous ruins were left disregarded for over a year which poses continuing threat to the life and safety of the public.
Garcia added the tourist spot has to be closed temporarily as “any injury or mishap resulting from the gross neglect of the possible dangers” will adversely affect the tourism industry of Cebu.
The governor ordered the police to strictly monitor the enforcement of the temporary closure.
Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia issued Executive Order (EO) No. 14 ordering the temporary closure and suspension of canyoneering activities in Barangay Matutinao, Badian town, Cebu.
Garcia noted that canyoneering sites in Matutiano, including establishments near the Kawasan Falls, were severely damaged when typhoon "Odette" struck in December last year.
The damage “left debris and dangerous ruins which ought to be demolished to prevent unnecessary peril to the public,” read the governor’s EO.
Garcia added that an inspection at Kawasan Falls conducted by officials from the Badian Municipal Engineering Office, Badian Police Station, Badian Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Badian Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office on Feb. 16 revealed the presence of hazardous metallic spikes and structures illegally built within the defined easement zones of the falls.
A separate inspection also showed a “life-threatening” dangerous passage of water beside an abandoned dam, which is one of the famous canyoneering trails in Kawasan.
A series of verified reports showed “the need to abate these illegal structures and dangerous ruins within the defined easement of Kawasan Falls to ensure the safety and well-being of the public.”
The governor added that despite the findings of various government agencies, illegal structures and dangerous ruins were left disregarded for over a year which poses continuing threat to the life and safety of the public.
Garcia added the tourist spot has to be closed temporarily as “any injury or mishap resulting from the gross neglect of the possible dangers” will adversely affect the tourism industry of Cebu.
The governor ordered the police to strictly monitor the enforcement of the temporary closure.