KAWASAN FALLS REOPEN. Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia leads the reopening of the world-renowned Kawasan Falls in Cebu's southwestern corridor on Thursday (Oct. 27, 2023), after months of undergoing rehabilitation. Garcia laid down new set of rules, assuring visitors with safe swimming, canyoneering, and other outdoor adventures through the 831-strong trained tour guides. (Photo courtesy of Cebu Capitol PIO)
CEBU CITY – Tourism activities in the southern corridor of Cebu province are now in full throttle as the world-renowned Kawasan Falls in Badian and the canyoneering sites in Ginatilan and Malabuyoc have reopened Thursday.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia cited the reopening of the famous falls and the rock-climbing sites as a major feat for Cebu’s tourism industry as the world-famous tourist destinations are now ready to receive tourists after undergoing three months-long of rehabilitation.
The governor laid down a new set of rules that will be followed in canyoneering tour operations in light of the reopening of the outdoor adventure destinations shared by Badian and neighboring towns.
As the Cebu provincial government now oversees operations, transactions at the falls and canyoneering sites will have to go through the capitol.
Garcia, however, assured that there will be defined sharing of revenues and defined pricing for the tours.
“This is a major feat after such a long journey of pushing for Kawasan’s protection,” she said.
From the previous PHP1,500, the canyoneering fee in Kawasan Falls now increased to PHP2,000, including the use of safety gear, meals, and other freebies.
After the capitol enforced closure of the Kawasan Falls in June this year as well as the canyoneering sites in the following months, Garcia collaborated with the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office here for the professionalization efforts of tour guides.
Right now, Kawasan Falls and the neighboring canyoneering sites employ 831 trained tour guides who finished modules of mixed lectures and physical drills while the nature's wonders underwent rehabilitation. (PNA)
