With Kawasan Falls closed, try Barili falls

ADVISORIES were sent out by the Department of Tourism (DOT) warning visitors to stay away from Kawasan Falls in Badian for the next few days while illegal structures there are being demolished.

As an alternative, try visiting  Mantayupan Falls in Barili town, still in  southwest Cebu, said DOT Regional Director Rowena Montecillo.

She sent out notices to tour operators  on Tuesday and said she got positive feedback about the April 16 closure order of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

“You can’t see the falls anymore, just the roofs of buildings,” she said. “If we really want to preserve the Kawasan Falls as a wealth of the nation, we cannot continue to promote it if we cannot protect it.”

Roofs and metal bars  were torn down as of yesterday in Kawasan Falls, said Badian Mayor Robburt Librando. He said workers will start demolishing the concrete base of illegal structures today while the Badian municipal council will discuss next Monday a proposed ordinance declaring the area a municipal park. /Correspondent Carmel Lois Matus