Fees set for use of Quezon zigzag road, protected forest

Soon, motorists have to pay an environment fee when they use the zigzag road known as “bitukang manok” (chicken intestine) or “eme” (M), one of the scenic routes in Quezon province. —DELFIN T. MALLARI JR.

LUCENA CITY — The government will start collecting P20 as environmental fee from motorists passing through Quezon province’s scenic zigzag road, called “Eme,” in the boundaries of Pagbilao, Atimonan and Padre Burgos towns.

Ramil Gutierrez, Quezon Protected Landscape (QPL) park area supervisor, said the fee would be collected by the Protected Area Management Bureau (PAMB) once it was approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

He said regular motorists could avail of a one-time payment of P500 for a toll card valid for a year.

No trucks, buses

Trucks and buses, however, are barred from using the zigzag road. These vehicles will be directed to take the Maharlika Highway diversion road linking Metro Manila and Bicol region.

The PAMB will also collect P50 to P120 as parking fee from QPL visitors.

Gutierrez said park visitors who wanted to explore the natural forest for sightseeing, amateur photography and filmmaking and trekking in designated areas would have to pay P15 to P30 as entrance fee. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities are exempted from the charges.

Gutierrez said the collection of an “environment fee” was allowed under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) or Republic Act No. 7586 of 1992.

The QPL is a 983-hectare forest reservation declared under Proclamation No. 740 in 1934, Proclamation No. 594 in 1940 and the Nipas. —Delfin T. Mallari Jr.