Zip line business measure pushed

The head of an association of mountain climbers yesterday suggested that international standards be adopted for operating zip lines in Cebu province.

Ramon Vidal, vice president of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines Inc., spoke in yesterday’s public hearing of the Provincial Board’s draft ordinance seeking to regulate zip lines and similar adventure and entertainment businesses.

If the ordinance is enacted into law, it will be the first of its kind in the Philippines, said Vidal.

Zip lines have become a popular outdoor tourist attraction in Cebu City and towns of Balamban and Liloan.

However, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, the ordinance’s main sponsor, said there’s a need to put preventive measures to safeguard users from the dangers and hazards of this outdoor activity.

Vidal, who is also a consultant of zip line operator, Adventure Cafe in Balamban town in western Cebu, said the safety of equipment used and the zip line structures are very important for the business.

His suggestion to adopt international standards for zip line operators will be studied further by the PB.

As proposed in the ordinance, operators have to secure a license or permit from the mayor of the municipality, accreditation from the Department of Tourism’s Regional Office 7, and clearance from the Office of the Building Official (OBO) or Municipal Engineer.

Personnel also have to be trained for first aid response.

Zip line operators present in the public hearing included Medellin Zip-Away, Linut-od Mountain Resort, Papa Kits Marina & Fishing Lagoon (Liloan), and Adventure Cafe. /Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus