Tour guides resume canyoneering in province despite suspension

Despite the suspension on canyoneering imposed by the provincial government, tour guides are accepting participants to a canyoneering trip to Kanlaob River in barangay Compostela, Alegria, southwest Cebu.

Tour guide John Belle Ortega, who hails from Matutinao, Badian town in southwest Cebu, said he accommodated nearly 20 guests from Cebu and Manila for the canyoneering activity since early this month.

“My income is affected since July after it was suspended. I refused more than 30 guests until September,” he told Cebu Daily News.

Ortega earns a minimum P300 fee for guiding tourists mainly to Kawasan Falls located at barangay Matutinao, Badian town.

In contrast, he said canyoneering participants pay P1,300 for food, transportation and safety gears.

Entry point

“Okay ra man nga mo adto didto basta kay naka familiar naman me sa lugar gud unlike sa dili taga didto mag lisod jud (It’s okay to go there so long as one is familiar with the area and unlike those who aren’t from there, it would be difficult for them),” he said.

The canyoneering is done in Kanlaob River which has two entry points—the first at the upper portion of Kawasan Falls at barangay Matutinao in Badian town and the second and main entry point at barangay Compostela in Alegria.

“If there’s bad weather then we won’t continue with the trip. We are also thinking of the tourists’ safety,” Ortega said.

He said the ideal ratio is one tour guide for two to three guests.

Ortega said there are more than 20 local tour guides in Kawasan Falls who work as canyoneering guides.

Peak season

Asked if he’s willing to undergo training provided by the local and provincial governments, he said yes. “I don’t have problems with it,” Ortega said.

Jinky Hanica, owner of Planet Action and a town councilwoman in Moalboal town, southwest Cebu, said she’s worried about the ban which caused 30 domestic and foreign guests to cancel their trips since July.

She said the peak season for eco-adventure tourism starts next month.

Hanica said they charge each guest P2,500 for the tour package which covers the fee, food, transportation and safety gear like life jackets, helmets, ropes and safety harnesses.

The suspension of canyoneering and eco-adventure activities took effect after the death of Aldrin Carba, a local tour guide of barangay Poblacion in Moalboal town, last July 26.

Income

Carba took a dive at the Kanlaob River despite a downpour and his remains were found some distance from the river the following day.

The Alegria municipal government won’t allow canyoneering until guidelines are set for the activity.

“I hope there would be guidelines that will be established by the provincial government as soon as possible. Eco adventure tourism helps generate income for the community and the local government,” Hanika told Cebu Daily News.

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