BADIAN, CEBU — Some 860 canyoneering tour guides in this town now enjoy insurance coverage with the Government Service Insurance System after the Cebu Provincial Government paid for their insurance premium.
Gov. Gwen Garcia led the ceremonial distribution of the GSIS cards with insurance coverage worth P100,000 here on October 26, the same day she lifted the suspension of tourism and canyoneering activities in Kawasan Falls for safety reasons.
These tour guides also underwent safety compliance and accreditation trainings with the Department of Tourism Central Visayas which they finished also on the same day.
The insurance — which covers death caused by any form of accident and animal bites, as well as medical reimbursement for expenses incurred due to an accident — aims to provide safety nets for canyoneering and tour guides as they perform their daily activities.
Governor Garcia said their job is very risky and adrenaline-filled, and that they should be covered by insurance.
Joining the governor in the ceremony were Provincial Board Members Cesar Baricuatro, Jerome Librando, Stanley Caminero, and Raymond Calderon.
Badian Mayor Carmen Lumain, as well as Ginatilan Mayor Roy Vincent Singco, Malabuyoc Mayor Edang Piedad, and Alegria Vice Mayor Verna Magallon were also present. | Babie Jane Revecoy