CLARK FREEPORT—The popular hot spring of Pampanga, found in the hinterlands of Mount Pinatubo, is under fire from businessmen and 4×4 vehicle enthusiasts.
“We are deprived of our own lands. Tourism destinations should be enjoyed by all, especially our visitors, for the benefit of the people in our communities,” said businessman Rene Romero of the Land Rover Club of the Philippines (LRCP), as he condemned the alleged discrimination on local residents and tourists at the Puning Hot Spring and Restaurant at the boundary of Sitio Bato, Angeles City, and Inararo, Porac town, Pampanga.
Joseph Luzano, Puning operations manager, denied the alleged discrimination on local residents and tourists, and abuse on their Ayta workers.
He said they decided to hold people on the gates near the resort’s spa for “safety purposes.”
Puning is frequented by Korean and Chinese tourists who usually stay in Clark during the visit. The hot and cold springs of Puning were borne out of the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991.
Romero said he was informed recently that residents living near Puning are “barred from touring their own relatives, friends and visitors at the portion of Sacobia River near the resort.”
“As far as I know, the river is owned by the government. I can’t believe that our own province mates are not allowed to enjoy what belongs to the community,” Romero said.
He vowed to launch a relentless pursuit “to know the truth and fight for the rights of the people, especially the Aetas working at Puning.”
Romero alleged that at least 69 regular Aeta workers of Puning “are underpaid and abused.”
Last month Romero and his visitors, led by Robby Consunji, president of the LRCP, and other members of the LRCP were barred from entering a road near the spa of the hot spring. Steel gates manned by Aetas are at the foot of the road near the river and at the upper portion of the road near an Aeta community.
Romero and his visitors onboard at least 14 4×4 vehicles were only allowed to enter after he argued with Puning officials. A huge sign at the entrances said only those vehicles authorized by Puning can enter the road.
“We have been passing on the road for ages. Suddenly, they are closing it,” he said.
Consunji, whose cousins are the top honchos of the prominent construction firm DM Consunji Inc., said: “We have been visiting provinces all over the country and we just don’t enter a community.
“We seek their approval and we ask for the rules set by the people in a community. I have passed that road at Puning many times and it was the first time we were prevented from entering,” he added. “I am disappointed.”
Consuji and members of their club said they visit Clark and Pampanga at least twice a month.
“Attorney Consuji and our friends visit Clark and Pampanga regularly. They buy gasoline, eat, shop and sometimes stay in hotels for days. They bring in business and spend their money in our place. Not to mention they promote destinations and activities in our province via Facebook and tell their friends about the beautiful Pampanga province and its attractions,” Romero said.
On February 13 Romero wrote a letter to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), questioning Puning for constructing structures that they said “may have altered the
ecological habitat of the area.”
“May we further inquire if the DENR regulations were complied with and the necessary DENR permits acquired in its continuing as a nature resort and spa?” Romero added in his letter.
The Pampanga Off-Roaders Club Inc. led by Marni Castro and the Club Overland off-road sports team headed by Dale Nepomuceno Antonio also assailed the closure of the road.
Luzano, who invited members of the Pampanga Press Club, showed last week the stiff portion of the road leading to an Aeta community and the end portion of it is near the Sacobia River.
Luzano said people onboard 4×4 vehicles can pass through the portion of the road.
“We highly recommended only 4×4 vehicles to avoid accidents,” he added.
Luzano said, “We have not closed the road and anyone can pass, but we recommend coordination with us.”
Luzano also said they employ at least 69 regular Aeta workers. He added that “we employ at least 130 more Aetas” when there is maintenance work and emergency cases.”
He admitted that some of their workers receive P259 per day, which is below the standard rate of P359 per day for regular workers in Central Luzon.
“But we have an agreement that it’s okay for them to receive a lower salary so that more Aetas can work,” Luzano said.
Puning started with 15 Aeta workers in 2008.
“There was miscommunication between us and the group of Rene Romero,” he said. “We allowed him access after the usual procedures.”
Romero also sought the help of the Department of Tourism in Central Luzon.
Tourism Regional Director Ronnie Tiotuico said on Thursday the Puning Hot Spring “cannot claim ownership of a property in its vicinity, much less prohibit people from using the same as entry point to certain places and beyond.”
In a letter to National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director Severino Santos, Tiotuico said Sitio Target at Barangay Sapangbato in Angeles City “is a public domain and cannot be owned by any private individual or corporation, including its roads and other infrastructures thereat.”
“While the company initiated and covered the cost of building the passage en route to the Sacobia riverbed, the same cannot claim ownership of the property, much less prohibit people from using the same as entry point to certain places beyond,” Tiotuico said.
Image credits: Ric Gonzales