Mayor Aquisan suspends tourism activities in Kabayan

September 14, 2020 Community Billboard

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, — Tourism activities in Kabayan remain suspendedas the Covid -19 pandemic persists. Kabayan Mayor Faustino Aquisan said tourism areas like the Kabayan mummies and the famed Mt. Pulag are closed maybe until December even as Baguio City is set to gradually open its tourism later this month.
The situation has big impact on the town’s economy but we have to abide with the decisions or guidelines of the provincial government and other concerned agencies for the safety of everyone, he said.
In the case of Mt.Pulag, which isconsidered as a national park, its concerns have to be decided upon not only by the local government but also the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Tourism, Aquisan told PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar in his LagingHanda Network Briefing Network News guesting today. The highest peak in Luzon, Mt. Pulag is favourite destination of mountain climbers and adventurers.
Tourism sites and eco-tourism activities in Kabayan were suspended since late February as proactive measure against the threat of Covid-19.
To help those whose jobs were affected by the closure of tourism activities such as guides and porters, the municipal government extended financial assistance, the mayor said. Aquisan said his concern in the meantime is the completion of the three tourism roads en route to the said destination.
Meanwhile, on the Secretary’s query on efforts for the safety of motorists following the death of Tinoc, Ifugao Councilor Mercury Binhiwan and injury to five of his companions when their vehicle plunged in a ravine while traversing along sitio Mangkew in barangay Pacso, Kabayan last week, Aquisan said the portion of the road is steep and narrow and has to be regarded.
The local government he said will ask Rep. Eric Yap to include the improvement of the said road in the 2021 budget.
JDP/PIA – Benguet