OFF-LIMITS. Life-size images of Jesus Christ and the two thieves on the cross stand on Mount Santo Tomas in Tuba town, Benguet province. Pilgrims and tourists are now off-limits to the once frequently-visited place. The Supreme Court closed the forest reservation area to the public in 2016 to prevent further environmental degradation. (File photo)
TUBA, Benguet -- Mount Santo Tomas is still off-limits to tourists, including Roman Catholic believers, who do the “Stations of the Cross” in observance of the Holy Week.
Tuba Mayor Ignacio Rivera said on Tuesday the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) had not given any order to reopen the famous Mount Sto. Tomas forest reservation.
The Supreme Court issued a Permanent Environment Protection Order (PEPO) for Mount Sto. Tomas in 2016 to prevent further degradation of the place.
Rivera said only the DENR-Cordillera has the authority to issue permits to visitors of the place.
He added that the agency has yet to finalize the forest and land use plan of for the whole 3,000-hectare reservation in Mount Sto. Tomas, pursuant to the "Writ of Kalikasan" issued by the Court of Appeals.
Mount Sto. Tomas is popular to tourists and pilgrims alike for its life-sized religious images for the stations of the cross. There is also a giant crucifix and an image of the Virgin Mary next to a chapel, where locals and tourists go for pilgrimage during the Lenten season.
Rivera added that Tuba town's local legislative committee on environment also requested him not to issue permits to tourists or any religious activity in the area.
The town mayor instead encouraged the locals and tourists to visit other places of interest in their town like the newly opened Aran Caves in Barangay Twin Peaks, Camp 3, Kennon Road.
He added that there is also the so-called “Holy Land” at Badiwan area on Marcos Highway before reaching Baguio City, with life-size images that depict stories in the bible. (PNA)
