The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper
Badjian Highlands closed!
capacity.” On behalf of the IATF Emergency Operations Center here in Cebu City, we thank the PRC and Senator Gordon for extending a helping hand during this hour of need. These efforts will surely boost the city’s health care mechanisms to fight Covid-19,” Feliciano said.
The Mandaue laboratory has four PCR machines. Gordon
CEBU CITY – The municipal government of Badian, a town 104 kilometers south of this capital, has ordered the immediate closure of the tourist destination Badian Highlands after photos circulated on social media showing visitors violating quarantine protocols.
Donald Villarin, municipal tourism officer, was accompanied by policemen, placed a notice reminding tourists about the temporary closure of the Badjian Highlands. said the PRC could also provide two additional PCR machines that would raise the laboratory’s testing capacity to 6,000 swab samples daily.
Currently, the state-owned Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and Department of Health’s molecular laboratory also process hundreds of swab samples daily. Gordon said the
The viral photos raised serious health concerns after some 300 motorcycle riders converged in the area’s viewing deck, which is about 1,640 feet above sea level.
Villarin told the Philippine News Agency that even before the photo went viral, the local government of Badian already started to lobby guidelines for Badian Highlands.
Mayor Carmentica Lumain issued Executive Order 22 temporarily closing the facility which public could avail themselves of the PRC molecular laboratory’s services.
Philhealth members do not have to pay anything while those who are not covered will have to pay P4,000 per swab test, Gordon said, adding that programs to help indigents are being eyed. (Carlo Lorenciana) opened to the public after the town shifted to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) on July 10. The Badian Highlands offers a spectacular view of the Tañon Strait and the mountains around Cebu’s southwestern area.
Based on their investigation, Villarin said the riders initially wore face masks but removed these when they arrived in the area.to reach the Badjian Highlands, vehicles take the 13-kilometer road that spans villages Poblacion, Taytay, Basak, Talayong, and Dobdob from the national highway.
The municipal government has yet to provide an exact date as to when the tourist facility will reopen. The area has been eyed to help the town’s economy to recover after suspending all tourism activities as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus disease back in March.
Badian is home to other popular tourist attractions such as the Osmeña Peak, Kawasan Falls, Kadungaw Peak, and Lambug Beach and some canyoneering sites. (Carlo Lorenciana)