Several destinations in Ilocos, Cordillera still closed: DOT

FILE: Bantay Church Bell Tower (Photo by Jesstine Co – Own work/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Friday said several tourist sites in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Ilocos Region remain closed due to the damage caused by Wednesday’s magnitude 7 earthquake.

The DOT said all tourism activities in the province of Abra are suspended indefinitely, while Baguio City, Kabayan town in Benguet, and the Mt. Pulag Protected Landscape (MPPL) are open to visitors.

Trekkers going to MPPL, however, are advised that Akiki Trail is still undergoing assessment after the earthquake.

Tourists bound for Kabayan are also advised to take caution in traversing the road due to the possibility of aftershocks and rain showers.

Meanwhile, tourist sites in Sagada, Mountain Province — except Cave Connection, Sumaguing, Balangagan and Pongas Falls — reopened to visitors on July 28, following the suspension of tourism activities imposed on Wednesday.

In Region 1, several tourist sites have been ordered closed to visitors, including the Bantay Bell Tower, Bantay Church/Saint Augustine of Hippo Parish Church, Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Caridad de Bantay in Bantay; Sta. Maria Church in Sta. Maria; St. Paul Cathedral, Heritage Village, Calle Crisologo, Ilocos Sur Regional Complex National Museum, Syquia Mansion, and all other tourist spots in Vigan City.

All tourist sites in Ilocos Norte, on the other hand, have reopened, including the following despite reported damage:

– Sta. Monica Church in Sarrat (fallen bricks at the altar)

– Bacarra Old Convent (fallen bricks)

– Virgen Milagrosa Church/St. John the Baptist Church in Badoc (fallen bricks on the side of the church)

– Batac Immaculate Conception Church (with fallen debris outside)

In Pangasinan, only Antong Falls in Sison is closed due to landslides.

Tangadan Falls in San Gabriel and the Great Wall of Santol/Bilagan Road in La Union are also temporarily closed, the DOT said, citing information from its regional office.

“As local engineering offices continue their assessment and inspection of tourist sites, the DOT advises all tourists with travel plans to the affected areas to take extra caution,” the DOT said.