Anti-volcano climbing act pushed
MANILA, Philippines - Since summer activities such as mountain climbing and other related activities are expected to peak again, lawmakers were urged to propose a law prohibiting such unauthorized activities on active volcanoes.
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| Steam or phreatic eruption is normal for active volcanoes like Mayon.STAR/file |
The authors of House Bill 733 “prohibiting mountaineering and other activities on active volcanoes” or the proposed “Anti-Volcano Climbing Act” are Representatives Christopher S. Co and Rodel M. Batocabe.
Co and Batocabe take in to consideration an incident on May 7, 2013, when five people died while trying to climb Mount Mayon, an active volcano in Legaspi, Albay (Bicol). These included four German tourists and their Filipino tour guide. During their climbing attempt, Mayon volcano exploded and discharged ash. Seven others were injured, including four Thai citizens.
Although PHIVOLCS affirmed that Mayon was in no danger of erupting according to the authors, they reminded the public not to venture into a 6-kilometer permanent danger zone. The agency said steam or phreatic eruption is normal for active volcanoes like Mayon. Phreatic eruption is an explosion caused by ground water coming into contact with ascending magma (as in a volcano).
“However, it is evident that mountain climbers are not mindful of the dangers, choosing to hike near the crater even if the danger of a volcano expulsion of ashes is just lurking around the corner,” the lawmakers stressed out.
The authors also cited that several companies and organizations have been founded to organize travel tours which include mountain climbing activities to different locations in the Philippines due to the rising tourism industry.
“The proliferation of these companies and the rapid development of the industry itself have made it more difficult for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to monitor the traffic to our tourist destinations and to maintain minimal impact on the ecological footprint. It is necessary to protect and maintain these areas for the benefit of more tourists and the people,” they said. The lawmakers added that the primary concern of government should be the safety of its citizens and tourists.
“The potential fatalities and injuries that may result from allowing leisure and recreational climbers surpass the demand for a tourism industry to boom in areas where there are active volcanoes,” they elaborated.
Violators of the proposed Anti-Volcano climbing act will be charged a fine of not less than P10,000 but not more than P50,000 if they conduct mountaineering activities on active volcanoes within a ten-kilometer radius from the crates, with exemption of activities supervised by DENR and authorized by PHIVOLCS, and only for educational, academic, and research purposes.
In the event that a violator is a firm, partnership, corporation, association or any other organization, the officer and/or organizers of the activity who know or should have known the commission of the offense will then be liable.
PHIVOLCS will require submission of documents showing the purpose for which the climb is to be undertaken, the list of the members of the team who will make the climb which shall not be less than four 94) members, a list of the officers and/or organizers of the climb, if different from the team members, and payment of required fees before they can issue authorization letter.
Under Anti-Volcano Climbing Act, the team shall report to the nearest DENR office or ranger station before and after the climb.
House Bill 733 is currently pending with the Committee on Natural Resources chaired by Rep. Francisco T. Matugas (1st District, Surigao del Norte).
***Originally published on Philstar.com; April 8, 2015; 4:01 p.m. Link: Anti-volcano climbing act pushed
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