Bulusan closed to trekkers

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — Despite the surge of visitors, Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon will be closed to trekkers as long as the volcano continues to show abnormal behavior, authorities said yesterday.

Bulusan Mayor Michael Guysayco said hundreds of tourists visiting Bulusan Lake located at the foot of the volcano have been requesting for a trek or picnic within the danger zone.

“We denied their request by telling them that Mt. Bulusan remains under Alert Level 1. Entry to the danger zone is very risky, too,” Guysayco told The STAR.

He said they put up added attractions and activities that would make visits to Bulusan Lake exciting and memorable.

Each visitor is charged P20 as entrance fee.

“Since we could not give them the adventure they wanted, we put up  additional activities in the lake such as kayaking, stand-up, paddling and fishing as well as massage and other services in the lake’s floating wellness facilities,” Guysayco said.

Fish cages have been removed and net fishing was banned to allow the lake to heal and return to pristine status, he added.

“We gave residents displaced by the ban other sources of livelihood,” he said.

Guysayco said the local government is working with the labor department for any assistance that would be extended to the affected residents.