By GENEVIEVE G. CANTOR,
and LITO RULONA,
Correspondents
WHITEWATER rafting outfitters here in the city can now heave a sigh of relief after City Council amended the Whitewater Rafting Ordinance to increase the rafting tariff––a request that has taken eight years in the making.
Like the extreme sport, the request for a hike in the rafting rate of the Oro Association of Rafters (Oar) went through strong currents of bureaucracy. Oar is composed of the Cagayan de Oro River Tours Corporation (The Red Rafts); Kagay Journey Bugsay Corporation; Golden Friendship Whitewater Rafting; 1st Rafting Adventure; and Great Water Tours.
Committee on tourism councilor Lourdes Darimbang said Oar’s proposed tariff hike had to go through three public hearings before the legislation was endorse for approval.
In a cyber-interview, Christopher ‘Chisum’ Factura of Kagay-Journey Whitewater and Kayaking said they were dismayed when the City Council deferred their proposed new price list for whitewater rafting adventure.
“We have the cheapest rafting rate only in southeast Asia but around the world,” lamented Factura.
Factura argued that to be able to be globally competitive, their river guides need to go through regular trainings and seminars on first aid, and emergencies. He said they also need to invest in up-to-date equipment in rafting.
“It is not easy to acquire our equipment’s, I think it is time to increase our rates in order to compete globally and bring our services to (the) next level,” said Factura. In its regular session, councilor Lourdes Darim-bang chair of the committee on tourism led in amending Article IV, Section 1 of Ordinance No. 11087-2008.
“The rafting association has been operating with the old rate for the past eight years. They have valid grounds for seeking a new rate,” Darimbang said.
On July 28, 2008, the city council passed Ordinance No. 11087-2008 — Whitewater Rafting Ordinance—which authorizes Oar to operate for five years and their permits may be renewed. The ordinance also authorizes the city council to issue franchise permit to outfitters and for the city treasurer’s office to collect franchise taxes and regulatory fees.
The city council amen-ded the Art. IV, Sec. 1 of the ordinance to increase the river rafting minimum tariff and the renaming of the old routes, as well as open new routes. In pursuant of the rafting law, outfitters may increased their rates once a year upon written petition by a Commercial White-water Outfitter subject to the approval of the City Council and after public hearing is conducted for the purpose.
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