'Illegal' beach resort in Pangasinan padlocked

By Gabriel L. Cardinoza

BOLINAO, Pangasinan -- The local government here has ordered the temporary closure of a beach resort on Tuesday.
    Mayor Alfonso Celeste said the Vero Amore Beach Resort in Barangay Ilog-Malino had to be closed because it committed a "double violation."
    "Aside from the death of a tourist who was one of its guests, the resort does not have a business permit to operate," said Celeste in a telephone interview.
    A resort guest drowned after he was swept away by huge waves and strong currents, while he was kayaking with a companion at about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 16.
    His companion, however, was rescued and was immediately brought to a hospital, a police report said.
    The mayor said that when the drowning incident took place, there was a gale warning from the government's weather bureau and tourism office.
    Resort owners and operators were advised that Sunday not to allow their guests to swim or do other water activities along the town's coastlines.
    The area is popular for its white-sand beaches facing the West Philippine Sea.
    "But they were not able to stop their guests from going kayaking. They tried to stop them, but the guests apparently insisted," said Celeste.
    The closure order was served by Mary de Guzman, tourism officer, who was accompanied by Bolinao policemen, and Kagawad Bert de Guzman of Barangay Ilog Malino.
    On Wednesday, Bolinao Falls in Barangay Samang Norte and the Patar Public Beach in Barangay Patar remained temporarily closed to tourists and visitors, according to a social media post by this town's tourism office.
    "This decision has been made due to safety concerns caused by above-normal water levels and strong water currents at Bolinao Falls. Additionally, strong waves and currents persist at Patar Beach," the tourism office said.
    "For the safety of everyone, swimming and other activities in these areas are not advisable until further notice. Please cooperate with the authorities and avoid visiting these locations until the situation stabilizes," it added.
    Celeste said that he had dispatched teams to ensure that beach resorts and other tourism establishments strictly followed the government's advisories.
    Bolinao Falls and Patar Public Beach are among this town's top tourist attractions.
    Another attraction is the Balingasay River, Ilocos Region's cleanest river, which features a river cruise aboard a floating restaurant pulled by a motorized boat.
    Other attractions are the 118-year-old Cape Bolinao lighthouse, its caves, the 17th-century St. James the Great Parish Church, and the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute's giant clam sea nursery located in a shallow reef off Silaki Island.