After numerous complaints have reached his office, including improper garbage disposal by tourists which forced Ternate to collect ecological fees, Cavite governor, Jonvic Remulla, has had enough. Starting March 19, 2021, Kaybiang Tunnel will be effectively closed for all tourist/ leisure activities.
Gov. Remulla, through his official social media account, made the announcement earlier today. “Marami ang nag-report sa aking tanggapan na ang Kaybiang Tunnel sa Mt. Pico de Loro ay nagiging sanhi ng traffic, basura, at umabot pa sa mga lokal na turista ang sila silang nagba-bardagulan doon (a lot of reports have already reached my office that Kaybiang Tunnel in Mt. Pico de Loro has turned into a traffic bottleneck, trash, and some tourists even had a riot).”
The governor continued that, all day, thousands of cyclists, tourists, and especially motorcycles have been flocking to the area around the tunnel. This activity causes non-stop traffic build-ups at both the entrance and exit of the tunnel.
Therefore, the governor said, on Friday, March 19, 2021, all tourism and leisure activities within the tunnel’s vicinity will be suspended. The governor also emphasized that the vicinity around the tunnel is strictly a no parking zone, no eating, no selfies, no loitering (tambay), and most especially, no more bicycle or motorcycle-related leisure activities in the area.
Also, Gov. Remulla added that blowing of horns inside the tunnel will be strictly prohibited.
Police checkpoints will also be set up in the towns of Tanza, Naic, Maragondon, and Ternate to enforce this new directive.
Dahil sa bardagulan
Last Sunday, March 14, a group of motorcycle riders who were parked in the vicinity of Kaybiang Tunnel seemed to have an argument which quickly escalated into a bardagulan (melee) that was also posted on social media.
According to sources who are close to Remulla, that incident was the final nail in the coffin that forced the governor to close the tunnel. The closure is also hoped to discourage people from tourism-related activities especially now that the number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise.
