Gov. Gwen Garcia revoked the Governor’s permit of all canyoneering operators in Badian whose businesses are not registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
This, as she also announced that the Provincial Government will distribute one sack of rice each for the 917 tour guides who will be displaced following her order to suspend all canyoneering and tourism-related activities in the most-touted tourist destination in the province.
During a meeting with Badian tour guides and operators at the Badian municipal gym on Wednesday, June 21, Gov. Garcia learned from BIR Talisay supervisor Romela Cortes that of the 43 canyoneering operators in Badian, only 16 have paid religiously its tax obligation to the government.
The governor said this was not fair to the government while emphasizing that the principal reason she called for a suspension of tourism activities is to rehabilitate the area in order to restore its grandeur and beauty.
She said, for these operators to operate again, they must pay their obligation first and secure a BIR permit.
Further, tour guides were told to enlist in the Capitol’s “pakyaw system” to fasttrack the demolition and rehabilitation efforts in the area.
It was learned that canyoneering in Badian rakes in at least P336 million each year, or at least P7 million each week; yet most operators of the lucrative industry is not doing its part in nation building by paying proper taxes.
Gov. Garcia conducted a surprise inspection in Badian on Wednesday to find out if her order to clear obstruction in the easement zone in Kawasan Falls were followed.
To recall, Gov. Garcia signed Executive Order No. 14 series of 2023 earlier this month ordering for the stoppage of all tourism-related activities in Kawasan, such as canyoneering, following reports of physical hazards found in the area such as fallen tree trunks, metal bars, and other foreign elements that could pose harm to tourists.
These objects are remnants of the wrath of Super Typhoon Odette in December 2021 which also altered the landscape in Kawasan.
Gov. Garcia said the Capitol will take over the rehabilitation, and soon the tourism operations, of Kawasan Falls, in close partnership with the LGU of Badian. One of the Capitol’s priorities is the demolition of concrete structures built within the 20-meter easement zone of the falls and its river banks as these destroy the natural beauty and harmony of the site.
“Kon ato lang gyud ning i-focus ang pagre-instate sa kanhing katahom sa usa ka waterfalls nga giila sa tibuok kalibutan nga one of the most beautiful waterfalls, I am sure that indeed mahimo na usab ni natong garbo,” Gov. Garcia told members of media that joined her in Badian.
“This will be a jewel again,” she added. | Baby Jane Revecoy