Tourist Sites Temporary Closure Due to Storm Emong
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has announced the temporary closure of several tourist sites and the suspension of tourism activities across multiple regions. These measures come as persistent monsoon rains combined with Severe Tropical Storm Emong threaten public safety. The DOT urges all tourists and tourism stakeholders to prioritize their safety and closely follow the advice of national and local authorities.
The DOT’s advisory, released on Friday, highlights the ongoing disruptions caused by Emong. The key four-word phrase “tourist sites temporary closure” reflects the urgent situation impacting travel and tourism nationwide.
Tourism Impact in Luzon Regions
In the National Capital Region (NCR), popular spots such as People’s Park and Nature Park in Caloocan, Tagalag Eco-Tourism Park in Valenzuela, and select museums in Pasig, Makati, and San Juan have been closed. Cultural activities like Intramuros walking tours and exhibits have also been suspended.
Meanwhile, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) faces extensive closures. Tourist destinations in Benguet towns including Atok and La Trinidad, Baguio City’s parks except Burnham Park, and key sites in Sagada and Ifugao are off-limits. Adventure activities like caving, trekking, rafting, and heritage tours are suspended, with many group tours canceled or rerouted.
Tourist sites in the Ilocos Region including Patar Beach, Bolinao Falls, and Hundred Islands are temporarily closed. All water-based and outdoor activities have been halted to ensure visitor safety.
Closures and Suspensions in Other Regions
In Cagayan Valley, coastal zones in Batanes and ecotourism spots in Quirino remain closed. Infrastructure such as the Santo Domingo Bridge in Santiago City is currently inaccessible, leading to suspended inland trekking and small boat tours.
Central Luzon’s eco-tourism areas in Aurora are also inaccessible due to flooding, with additional disruptions in Bulacan and Pampanga. This has forced the suspension of nature-based activities and tourism training events.
Calabarzon sees closures at natural attractions like Calibato Falls and Lagalas Falls in Laguna, Hinulugang Taktak and Daranak Falls in Rizal, plus heritage sites in Cavite and resorts in Batangas. Adventure and heritage tours have been put on hold.
Mimaropa’s island tours in El Nido and Coron are halted, with limited access to Puerto Galera and coastal tourism zones in Occidental Mindoro impacted. Activities like snorkeling, island hopping, and sea excursions remain suspended.
Visayas and Mindanao Updates
In the Bicol region, Albay Wildlife Park and several hill and cave sites are closed or under red alert. Volcano and beach tourism have been suspended alongside ferry operations. Western Visayas reports inaccessible sites such as Mag-aso Falls and hiking suspensions, while Central Visayas monitors several areas closely and suspends outdoor activities accordingly.
Eastern Visayas has not reported formal closures but has suspended boat and ship travel, with flight cancellations in Tacloban. The DOT office there works with local officials to monitor conditions and advises avoiding low-lying or landslide-prone areas.
In Mindanao, regions including Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga report no formal closures. However, advisories discourage activities like trekking, swimming, diving, and high-risk river or tree-top tours due to landslide and weather risks.
DOT Coordination and Traveler Advisory
Sources said the DOT is coordinating closely with regional offices, local government units, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Coast Guard, and other agencies. Their goal is to provide a unified and timely response to weather-related disruptions affecting tourist sites.
Travelers are strongly advised to stay updated through official bulletins and contact the DOT Tourist Assistance Call Center for urgent concerns. Safety remains the top priority as the storm continues to affect tourism operations across the country.
For more news and updates on tourist sites temporary closure, visit Filipinokami.com.
