The local government of Banaue, Ifugao on Wednesday reminded tourists to take extra precautions when visiting its various destinations.

The reminder came after the town lifted the suspension of tourism activities on July 12, 2022. Tourism activities were earlier halted due to flash floods in the area last week.

“Relative to the clearing operation done at the roads and trails leading to the tourism sites since July 8, 2022, the temporary suspension of all tourism activities in Banaue is now lifted,” said Banaue Mayor Joel Bungallon, in a post on the social media page of the town.

“Please be informed that some footpaths at Barangays Pula, Cambulo, Balad, and Bangaan are temporarily restored so please be advised to take extra precaution,” he said.

In a separate advisory, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said the prohibition on the use of the Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel remains in effect to ensure the safety of the guests and personnel.

In an advisory on July 8, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said that Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid has stated that a landslide eroded and carved out the side of the service access road of the 81-room facility of the Banaue Hotel.

The Banaue Hotel is managed by the TIEZA, which is the infrastructure arm of the DOT.

Aside from that eroded portion, another landslide occurred fronting the main entrance of the hotel from the highway and into the parking lot.

Frasco had earlier assured that the TIEZA engineers have been deployed to Banaue, aside from the coordination being done with the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Cordillera, to assure the safety and the integrity of the facility. (PNA)