ANGELES CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office is pushing for the limitation of visitors at Mt. Pinatubo’s crater to save it from further abuse.
DOT regional director Ronnie Tiotuico disclosed that the foundation of the volcano’s viewing deck had been damaged.
He stressed that authorities should limit the number of tourists at the volcano’s crater for the visitors’ own safety.
“In tourism there is a principle called measured capacity. There is a need to control the visit at Pinatubo to prevent abuse,” Tiotuico said.
The DOT regional head lauded Pampanga First District Rep. Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin for his House Bill 4803 strengthening the existing tourism program implemented by the government and Local Government Units (LGUs).
But Tiotuico said a law converting Mt. Pinatubo into a national park or protected area should be approved.
“It will be under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as national park, and its protection will be prioritized,” he added.
Tiotuico also said activities at the crater of the volcano such as swimming and kayaking must be stopped.
“The water is dirty because it’s made up of stagnant water coming from rains. We must also stop boating to preserve its beauty,” he added.
Tiotuico said that his office is not preventing local and foreign tourists from visiting the volcano which erupted in 1991.
He stressed that “I simply want the next generation to also experience the poster beauty of the crater and its surroundings.”
