Tourist spot closed for lack of permit, guests’ complaints

CLOSED”Puting buhangin” (white beach) in Pagbilao town in Quezon province has temporarily shut its doors while the resort’s management addresses concerns from the local government and tourists. —DELFIN T. MALLARI JR.

LUCENA CITY—It’s one less tourist spot for Quezon province after the municipal government of Pagbilao suspended the operation of a popular beach destination along Tayabas Bay due to lack of permits and increasing complaints from its patrons.

According to the website of the Pagbilao government, Mayor Shierre Ann Portes-Palicpic ordered the closure of the beach resort, popularly known as “puting buhangin” and “kuwebang lampas,” in Barangay Ibabang Polo on June 28.

The cease and desist order was sent to the resort management on June 30. The order was issued following the serving of three notices on May 31, June 9 and June 19.

Last week, a team from the Pagbilao police enforced the closure order.

The local government also placed banners along entry and exit points of the resort to announce its closure.

Jessica Antona, Pagbilao tourism officer, said the temporary closure would not affect tourist traffic because the town has other resorts in the same area and a restaurant fronting Tayabas Bay that has been drawing out-of-town guests.

The resort is a subject of a property dispute between the Pagbilao Development Corp. (PDC) and the Lukang clan.

The claimants have been separately operating the resort, with their respective caretakers stationed in different areas there.

Business permit

Antona, citing records from the local assessor’s office, said PDC was paying the area’s real property tax.

“But no one was applying for the required business permit for its operation,” she said.

The place, located at the far end of the coastline of the village, features a limestone rock cliff with a distinctive small cave that is partially submerged.

The cave has openings on both sides of the cliff, thus, the name “kuwebang lampas” (see-through cave).

The area is ideal for photo shoots and snorkeling.

In April, the area was tagged in a Facebook post that went viral as the “worst beach ever,” after a tourist narrated her dismal experience there.

Negative reports on the resort’s poor waste management, discourteous staff and excessive cost of services, among others, prompted Palicpic to meet with concerned government agencies and the resort management to address the issues.

Alberto Bay Jr., provincial tourism officer, said the temporary closure of the resort showed the local government’s resolve in regulating and monitoring tourism establishments.

“It won’t affect the province’s tourism program,” he said. —DELFIN T. MALLARI JR.