Capitol takes over Kawasan Falls

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government has taken over the administration as well as the clearing operations at Kawasan Falls in Barangay Matutinao, Badian in southern Cebu.

The famous tourist spot, which was known not only for its natural beauty but for the canyoneering adventure it also offers to tourists, will be rehabilitated to restore its “splendor” after it was affected by the super typhoon Odette in December 2021.

Earlier, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued an executive order for the temporary closure and suspension of canyoneering activities in Matutinao after it was found during an inspection conducted by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) that some illegal structures along the canyoneering trail are posing danger to the tourists.

Based on the inspection report, illegal structures were built within the easement zone in Kawasan Falls.

“There was this plant (used to be hydroelectric plant) nga karon has already been abandoned, there’s a certain area nga masipyat na og ambak (ang turista), adto didto motugpa, they could be dragged and naay mga kabilya diha…that’s a disaster waiting to happen and I don’t want a black mark on Cebu’s tourism particularly Kawasan Falls, which is a recognized… one of the most beautiful falls in the world,” Garcia said.

To avoid the disaster from happening, Garcia said a preemptive measure has to be done.

“Whatever happens to Cebu will ultimately reflect to our Tourism Secretary,” the governor said.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco is the daughter of the governor. Prior to the issuance of her executive order on June 2, tour operators were given prior warning through the LGUs.

“Canyoneering will continue sa Alegria, but Badian needs to be first properly cleared of all mga hazardous materials that are in the falls,” Garcia said.

Unlike in Alegria where the LGU is the one that handles the canyoneering activities, in Badian, there are some private operators that sell canyoneering packages to tourists.

Garcia said she has asked these operators before to organize so that there would be the right protocol, proper rates, and unified treatment to the canyoneering guests as well as the guides with training and proper standards that will be constantly adhered to.

“For that reason, the Province is temporarily taking over the clearing of Kawasan Falls and the eventual representation to the public. We will do everything that needs to be done. We will do also first, we will have to come up with guidelines, and we would hope that the general public will once again see the beautiful Kawasan Falls,” Garcia said. — (FREEMAN)