BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Kabilang-bilangan Reef in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, was temporarily closed to the public by Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., following a drowning incident on Sunday that claimed the lives of four persons, including two minors.
On the other hand, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Northern Negros Occidental said that they will hold the boat operator liable over the drowning incident that took place Sunday.
While the Kabilang-bilangan Reef is not a restricted area, Commander Joe Luviz, chief of the PCG-Negros Occidental District, said the boats in the area are not authorized to ferry passengers to the site.
Escalante said that the reef recently has become a tourist spot in Cadiz City, as they plan to put up facilities in the area, as he likened it to the popular sand bar site off the coast of Manjuyod town, Negros Oriental.
However, he said the plans were put on hold for next year due to budget realignment.
The city government, Escalante said, put up an observation tower/ lighthouse on the reef to shelter fishermen during times when the current and wind is strong.
He also pointed out that sudden strong currents in the area are a normal occurrence as Cadiz City is a coastal locality facing the Visayan Sea.
PCG investigations showed that all the victims were swept away by a strong current in the area.
Mercurio said that they will summon the operator of a boat rented by the victims, as he entertained the possibility of filing charges against them, for they were not authorized to ferry passengers.*
