The local government unit of Valencia in Negros Oriental is tightening its enforcement of an ordinance regulating activities in Mount Talinis, following the rescue of six foreigners who went missing on their way to the complex volcano, officials said Monday.
Desiderio Tilos Jr., Valencia municipal tourism officer, told the media that Ordinance No. 4 series of 2020 (An Ordinance Enacting the Tourism, Heritage, Culture & Arts Code of the Municipality of Valencia) includes regulating activities in Mount Talinis.
Article 8 of the Ordinance provides for the establishment of Mount Talinis as an eco-tourism park within the scope of the municipality of Valencia, with regulations of entry to the park, as well as prohibitions.
“Based on initial reports, it appears that the six foreigners violated certain provisions of the Code, which unfortunately led to them getting lost on the trail,” Tilos said.
The six were identified as German nationals Wolfgang Schlenker, 67; Aldwin Fink, 60; and Torsten Martin Groschupp, 58; Russian Anton Chernov, 38; British Alexander Radvanyl, 63; and a Canadian identified only as Terry, 50.
Radvanyl and Groschupp were rescued on Friday, and the other four on Saturday in separate locations following joint operations initiated by the Valencia LGU, and in cooperation with private rescue volunteers, mountain climbers, police, military, and residents.
Tilos said the ordinance requires hikers, mountain climbers, and other visitors to Mount Talinis to register and secure a permit from the Tourism office.
They should also register in any of the two official entry points, present the permit secured from the Tourism office, hire a local/ accredited tour guide, and pay the required fees.
The two officially designated entry points to Mt. Talinis are in barangay Apolong (near the Limot Takna restaurant), and in barangay Puhagan, both with assigned LGU-hired guards.
Regardless of final destination, such as the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes which is part of the town of San Jose, those entering through the town of Valencia have to comply with the Code.
Tilos said the group of six foreigners entered through Sitio Lunas in barangay Malabo in Valencia, but which is not recognized by the LGU as an official entry point.
He said Groschupp had repeatedly trekked to Mount Talinis with other groups but without a local guide, and had previously been called out by authorities.
Edgar Partosa, who heads the Disaster Risk- Reduction & Management Office of Valencia, said Groschupp and Radvanyl went to his office on Monday morning to apologize about the incident.
Partosa said he has no update yet on the other four foreigners — Schlenker, Fink, Chernov, and Terry — who were rescued in Amlan town.
The DRRMO Chief said they are anticipating an influx of visitors to Mount Talinis during the Holy Week, which is happening in two weeks’ time.
A blog called Journey Era described Mount Talinis as “arguably the toughest hike on the island.”
“Hikers can expect 1,500 meters of incline up slippery, rocky slopes covered in tree roots and rough forest trails,” the blog said, adding that reaching the summit will take a day. (Judy F. Partlow)
