Government must relax Mt. Sto. Tomas to hikers, runners
The Writ of Kalikasan issued for Mt. Sto. Tomas in Tuba, Benguet has been in effect for five years and there seems to be no end to it.
The no entry policy is unfair to the public who had nothing to do with its destruction.
It is time to lift the writ with conditions. Let those who indulge in environment-friendly activities such as walking, running, and cycling be allowed in. They do not use fossil fuel, do not pollute the air, do not make noise, and do not congest traffic.
The government may charge entry fees for those who would like to go up the mountain. Limit the number of visitors going up on any given day.
If in groups, a maximum of three individuals for each group will do. Pretending to be a group of three but joining with other groups later should be penalized.
Likewise, only stores of residents should be patronized for snacks while the minimum Covid-19 protocol should be observed at all times. — JOSE R. REFUERZO, Baguio City