Tuesday, April 24, 2007 Group leader's accusations baseless: tourism chief
DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DOT)-Southern Mindanao Regional Director Sonia Garcia said the accusations of an environmental group leader against her department do not have basis.
This after Jumar Bolo, chair of Kinaiyahan Amomahan, Ubanan ug Bantayan (Kauban) Movement, accused DOT-Southern Mindanao of negligence to ensure safety measures being implemented in the 64,00-hectare protected area.
"Mr. Bolo had no premise on his allegations," Garcia said during Monday's Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City.
In a report published by Sun.Star Davao last week, Bolo said there was a failure on the part of the government to really institutionalize mountain climbing despite the many incidents of misfortunes that befell mountain climbers while scaling up and down Mt. Apo in the past.
On the contrary, Garcia insisted that there are already policies in place for mountaineers who climb Mt. Apo.
She added that the waiver and consent form signed by mountain climbers prior to their ascent to the mountain stipulates that it is illegal to bathe or swim in Lake Venado.
Moreover, Garcia admitted that it has been a common practice for mountain climbers to use the water of the lake for bathing but definitely not for them to swim in the four-degree Celsius water.
She said there are certain protocols that the mountaineers must follow. "Before we promote areas, we ensure that there are proper guidelines set and that the safety nets are already there," Garcia said.
Garcia also dismissed allegations that they have commodified the mountain by collecting fees.
She said it is not the DOT that collects the fees but the local government units wherein the trails are located, adding that certain percentages go to the barangay, municipality, city, and province that encompass the trails.
According to Garcia, there was a rescue team in the area during the incident.
"It is part of the guidelines and policies being implemented by the Protected Areas Management Board," she said.
She said the place wherein the incident took place is not within the jurisdiction of her agency.
"Every mountaineer who goes up the mountain is a responsible one," Garcia said. (CPM)
