Outdoor tourism could face tightening regulations according to the council's deliberations.
New Safety Measures for Outdoor Activities in Cebu City
A draft ordinance has been filed in Cebu City's Council, aiming to enhance safety and promote responsible tourism in the city's mountain barangays and trekking zones. Authored by Councilor Dave Tumulak and endorsed on July 29, 2025, the ordinance mandates comprehensive safety protocols for various outdoor recreational activities.
Key regulations include mandatory registration of individuals and groups (local and foreign tourists) with the barangays where activities are held. Pre-activity weather assessments using data from DOST-Pagasa and verified local sources will become mandatory, with temporary suspension of activities during weather disturbances.
Safety briefings are required before participation, and the use of appropriate safety gear such as trekking shoes, life vests, and helmets is compulsory. Activities that disturb wildlife, such as hunting or poaching, are strictly prohibited, along with littering and drinking liquor during activities. Solo traveling or hiking is highly discouraged.
The ordinance covers trekking/hiking, waterfall trekking/recreational swimming, all-terrain vehicle, mountain biking, and caving/spelunking activities. To ensure effective enforcement, newly established Barangay Enforcement and Monitoring Teams (BEMT) will handle compliance. Barangays and apprehending officers receive a percentage of collected fees as incentives.
Violators will face penalties including a fine of ₱1,500 for the first offense. Higher fines and possible imprisonment for subsequent offenses are also stipulated, along with the cancellation or revocation of permits and licenses for repeat violators.
The measure was inspired by recent tragic incidents, such as the fatality at Budlaan Falls. The ordinance also strengthens the installation of infographics on trails or sites to inform visitors of the inherent risks and hazards. Mandatory registration for Trekker Association Accreditation with the City Tourism Office and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is also required.
Residents of Barangay Pulangbato warned hikers not to proceed around 5 p.m. due to impending rain and the area being a designated danger zone, but the hikers did not heed the warning. On July 12, a 21-year-old call center agent drowned during a trekking activity in Sitio Kabang, Barangay Budlaan, underscoring the need for these safety measures.
- To enhance safety and promote responsible tourism in Cebu City's outdoor living locations, a draft ordinance has been proposed that includes mandatory registration for activities such as trekking, waterfall trekking, all-terrain vehicle adventures, mountain biking, and caving.
- The new safety measures also necessitate pre-activity weather assessments, the use of appropriate safety gear, and safety briefings before participation to minimize risks in Cebu City's home-and-garden and sports environments.
- Infractions of the newly established safety protocols, including ignoring mandatory registration, engagement in activities that disturb wildlife, littering, and drinking during activities, could result in fines ranging from ₱1,500 for the first offense to possible imprisonment and permit revocation for repeat offenders.
