(Photo courtesy of Claver Tourism Office)
BUTUAN CITY – The tourism office of Claver town in Surigao del Norte announced Friday the temporary closure of Kabujuan Islet, a prime tourist destination in the area, for three months.
Ephraim Consigna, the centralized booking officer at the Claver tourism office, said the order will take effect from Nov. 16, 2023 to Feb. 16, 2024.
“The temporary closure is per the provisions of Municipal Ordinance No. 12 passed in 2021 which aims to allow the islet to rejuvenate and recuperate from daily human activities,” he said.
He said the temporary closure was necessary to allow the islet, also known as the "Little Maldives," to have a "breathing season" from the influx of guests and visitors.
The islet, he noted, is receiving an average of 60 visitors per day.
During the three months, several municipal personnel will be allowed to enter the islet to do clean-up activities and renovations of the facilities.
“Local scuba divers will also be allowed to visit the islet to check the marine life around the islet,” Consigna said.
In 2021, the tourist destination was also temporarily closed due to pandemic restrictions. It reopened in May of the following year. (PNA)
