BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The “Tinagong Dagat” within the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) in Silay City, Negros Occidental, will be opened to mountain trekkers starting August 1.
Engr. Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer-in-Charge and NNNP Protected Area Superintendent (PASu), OIC provincial environment natural resources officer, in a memorandum dated July 22, laid down guidelines in the processing of mountaineering permit for major trekking activities within the natural park.
The memorandum order states that trekking will be allowed in the three trails on a weekly interval, with entry points in Brgy. Patag, Silay City, Brgy. Cabatangan in Talisay City, and Brgy. Canlandog in Murcia.
A P300 mountaineering fee will be charged for locals, while for foreigners the charge will be P500, the memorandum said.
A maximum of 15 climbers per group and 30 climbers per week, excluding porters and guides, are allowed to conduct mountaineering activities, according to the PASu memorandum order.
Every five climbers are required to hire a tour guide for P750 a day, and another P750 per day for the services of a porter.
The NNNP PASu will also strictly implement a “no orientation, no climb policy” which is available both on virtual and face-to-face formats. A zero- waste commitment is mandatory for all climbers who wish to conduct mountaineering activities inside the NNNP.
To minimize and avoid local transmission of COVID-19, trekkers, porters and guides must practice at all times proper health precautionary measures including social distancing and hand sanitation. Wearing of face masks is highly encouraged.*
