The provincial government-owned Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia, Negros Occidental will reopen after the Holy Week after months of rehabilitation from the damage caused by Typhoon Odette.

Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena said on Tuesday they will initially accept visitors for day tours after which, overnight accommodations will be available in May.

“We’re opening the resort to the public after Holy Week as advised by the governor (Eugenio Jose Lacson), between April 18 and 20. For overnight stay, it will be on May onwards,” she told reporters after the hearing on the proposed ordinance for rate adjustments in the use of the resort facilities.

Decena said there has been no increase in rates for accommodation and recreation facilities since 2003 while the entrance fee was last increased in 2011.

“It’s to make it convenient for customers since it will be inclusive. They can save (money) with this as opposed to paying for individual fee per service or per facility,” she added.

The proposed new entrance fee for adults is PHP120, from the previous PHP50; and PHP60 for children, from the previous PHP20, which already includes the use of swimming and dipping pools.

“We’re hoping to have this approved before the re-opening,” Decena said.

Last December 1, the provincial government first reopened the mountain tourist site, rebranded as the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary, almost two years after it was shut down due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

It has been utilized as a quarantine and isolation center for returning Negrenses and Capitol employees found positive for the virus.

Mambukal, one of the top tourist destinations in Negros Occidental, was among the structures and facilities owned by the province damaged during the onslaught of “Odette” last December 16. The power supply in the resort was restored only in March.

Lacson’s Executive Order (EO) 21-45, series of 2021 declared and rebranded the Mambukal Resort as a wildlife sanctuary.

The area is home to several wildlife species protected under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

Based on the EO, “hunting, wounding, taking or killing within the said territory of any endemic or wildlife animals/and or the destruction of any vegetation or any act causing the disturbance to the habitat of the wildlife herein protected are hereby prohibited”. (PNA)