Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office (PTCAO) Chief Dorothy F. College has confirmed that their office, in cooperation with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), is conducting a continuous investigation after the illegal Mayon Volcano summit climb Facebook reel went viral.
In an exclusive interview with the PTCAO Chief, she confirmed that upon learning of the circulating video reel posted by Mudman, where a group of seven (7) mountaineers illegally climbed near the summit of the volcano, posted on Facebook Meta on April 24, 2024, they promptly conducted an investigation with the NBI.
“Kang naaraman ta po iyan na nakapost online na may nagsakat sa Mayon, ang inot na ginibo ta su paghahanap kung sisay ining mga nagsakat na ini kasi duman sa post, sarong tao lang po ang may pangaran, su ibang mga personahe na yaon duman dai man na napangaranan, so ngunian is pigahanap ta kung ano ang mga pangaran kaito ta pag nakua ta na ini magkakaigwang magkakanigong penalty para sainda,” said Colle.
According to Colle, upon revisiting Provincial Ordinance No. 0023-2016, otherwise known as “An Ordinance Prescribing Guidelines for Mayon Volcano Natural Park Trekking and Providing Penalties thereof,” they noted that four prohibitions had been violated by the group.
“Dakulon po duman na prohibition na nahiling mi na naviolate kaining grupo, inot na inot duman itong, “no summit climbing”, sunod na violation, “no guide, no climb”. Ang guide na pigasabi ta is mga Mayon-accredited guide, iyan po su mga accredited ng Department of Tourism, napa-accredit, na-train sindang tama para sa Ecotourism activity. Ikatulo, we have yet to prove kung sain po sindang trail nagsakat ta sarong trail man sana ang recognized kaining ordinance na ini, ini pong yaon sa Lidong, ining Centennial Forest kasama kang DENR so kung iba po ang trail na tigsakatan ninda, iyo iyan ang saro sa violation. Lastly, i-prove ta po kung nag-overnight stay sinda sa Mayon kasi dai po nag-tutugot ki overnight stay sa Mayon,” the official added.
With reference to Provincial Ordinance No. 0023-2016, violation of any of the clauses will incur a fine of Php 5,000.00 and imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year.
Colle also noted that the fine amounting to Php 5,000.00 is the maximum penalty imposed with reference to Section 468 paragraph 1 clause 3 under Book 3, Chapter 3, titled “The Province” of the Local Government Code of 1991.
“Mahapot sinda nata hababaon man ngaya, according ito sa Local Government Code, which states that approved ordinances impose fines not exceeding five thousand pesos,” Colle said.
In a separate interview with Provincial Legal Officer Ret. Judge Noel Rubio confirmed that they already have the written complaint and that each person involved will be sanctioned with Php 5,000.00 for each violation incurred and an imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year.
Additionally, Ret. Judge Rubio said that they are yet to identify the names and addresses of the people involved, as well as provide evidence and attachments.
As of this writing, the viral posted reel is already deleted from Facebook Meta.
(Source: Albay PIO)