A SLEEPING Dinosaur Trail Management Plan will be crafted following the uncontrolled waste management issues lurking Davao's emerging trekking destination in Mati City, Davao Oriental, caused by irresponsible trekkers, an official said.
Mati City administrative officer Dashiel Indelible told VoxPop Davao in an interview Wednesday at the sidelines of Habi at Kape media forum at Abreeza Ayala Mall that the Mati City officials with the Protected Area Management Board (Pamb) will meet Friday, March 31, at the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology to settle and discuss issues on Dahican and Pujada areas, including the Sleeping Dinosaur Island.
"The trekking activity at the Sleeping Dinosaur Island became viral, some sort of a hype without precipitated preparations because of social media. It created problem and the private owners with the local government unit is now making measures to address it," he said.
Indelible said the trails going to the island were temporarily closed last week by private owners.
Under the Sleeping Dinosaur Trail Management Plan, trekking guidelines will be implemented and a local ordinance declaring the area as protected and regulated spot will be enforced.
Mati City information officer Yon Maybuena, in a separate interview, said regulation through accreditation will also be implemented and the declaration of Pujada Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will strictly be observed.
"The island is Mati's icon and we will do everything to protect it. It is a potential tourist destination but comprehensive and sustainable tourism plan must be put in place first," Indelible said.
He added that other concerns to be discussed during the meeting are: illegal fishing, encroachment of illegal settlers, mining in Barangay Makambol area and disposal of waste, among others.
