The ongoing search for missing cockfighting enthusiasts in Taal Lake has impacted more than just the local fishing industry, local officials said on Monday.
In Talisay, a lakeside town, tourism has taken a hit as visitor numbers dropped significantly.
Some tourists have even canceled their bookings and reservations due to the unsettling news.
“Hindi pa kami nakakabangon simula noong pumutok ang bulkan, nag-pandemic, pagkatapos ngayong ang tourism industry natin ay medyo bumabangon ito na naman apektado na naman kami itong nangyayaring retrieval sa mga sabungero,” Talisay Municipal Administrator Alfredo Anciado said.
A hotel-resort in town has already requested a certification from the municipal government to assure guests that the retrieval operations will not curtail tourism activities.
“Iba naman ang ginagawalan ng mga nagre-retrieval” Anciado added.
Boat rides going to the volcano island are among the main tourist attractions at Taal Lake.
To compensate for lost revenues since the volcano restive, the Talisay local government appealed to the national government to once again allow tourists to set foot on Volcano Island—even in limited areas only.
“Baka pwude bumalik muli ang mga turista namin kasi ang gusto nila makababa sa Volcano Island. Doon lamang sa may tourism center naming before makita yung ruins” Anciado added.
Since Taal Volcano erupted in 2020, the entire Volcano Island has been declared a permanent danger zone.
Residents have been barred from returning, and tourists have not been allowed to visit the island.
