MANILA, Philippines — The Pamitinan Protected Landscape in Rodriguez, Rizal is now open to the public.
“Today, February 22, 2021, we officially announce that we are now opening Pamitinan Protected Landscape that covers Mt. Pamitinan, Mt. Binicayan and Mt. Hapunang Banoy (Banoi) that will only accept guests ages 15 to 65 years old,” read a post on Monday from the Facebook page of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) dedicated to the 608-hectare nature reserve.
Online reservations for hiking are now available, according to the post.
“We will not accept late and rush reservations, single hike or twin-hike is accepted but no trilogy,” the post added.
The DENR has also laid down guidelines in visiting the protected landscape in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to DENR, children who are below 15, senior citizens aged 66 years old and above, those with immunodeficiency and comorbidities, and pregnant women will not be allowed to enter.
“The number of hiking/trekking and rock/wall climbing activities and other activities/side-trips such as swimming, camping/overnight stay, group recreation, photography/pictorial are minimized in number and should follow physical distancing,” the department also said.
Only hiking and wall climbing activities will be accommodated for the online reservation, according to the agency.
“In accordance with the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases), carrying capacity for trekking activity will follow but in the meantime, it will be minimized to 30% per mountain, limited to 115 persons per mountain,” the DENR added.
The department also said wearing of face mask and face shield should be observed in registration areas, but it can be removed during hiking and wall climbing. Visitors should likewise practice physical distancing and bring their own sanitizers and food utensils.
The DENR said visitors should not bring alcoholic beverages while staying in the area to minimize mingling with the locals and prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19.
The DENR Protected Area Superintendent-Office Registration Area for hiking and wall climbing activities will be open at 4 a.m. from Monday to Sunday including holidays and will not entertain visitors beyond 12 noon.
Walk-ins will not be allowed, according to the department.
RELATED STORIES
Montalban: A legendary giant awakens