Our favourite places to stay on this sleepy Cebu island.
Baguio City Orders Closure of the Igorot Stone Kingdom
Since opening on 15 May 2021, the Igorot Stone Kingdom in Baguio City has attracted innumerable travellers from all over. But on 8 Nov 2022, Mayor Benjamin Magalong ordered the closure of the Igorot-themed park.
Also read: Baguio Travel Guide 2022: Best Things to See, Eat, and Do
Why Baguio ordered the closure of the Igorot Stone Kingdom
According to a Facebook post by the Baguio City Public Information Office, the man-made tourist attraction has been operating without a business permit. “The stone structures inside are not covered by a building permit which puts the structural integrity of these constructions in question,” the statement read.
Allegedly, the site had previously been asked to comply with building requirements but has yet to address its violations. As a result, the City Buildings and Architecture Office on 7 Nov filed a criminal case for a breach of the National Building Code.
Moreover, the Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) and the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (MGB-DENR) assessed the structure as prone to landslides and erosions. Thus, Mayor Magalong said: “We have to be proactive. We can’t wait for something bad to happen before we act.”
Igorot Stone Kingdom responds to allegations
In an interview, owner Pio Velasco addressed the closure of the Igorot Stone Kingdom.
“We respect the city government’s decision to close us prior to our court trials to refurbish the requirements they asked us to do. Medyo nadedelay lang kasi maraming problema sa mga pre-requisites. Nevertheless, we will be opening soon kapag nacomply-an na namin,” Velasco said.
Responding to the concerns over safety, Velasco also assured the people that the site is structurally stable.
“The Stone Kingdom is a landslide-protection structure,” he said in the same interview. “Ang problema lang natin is hindi pa nacecertify ng City Engineering Office yung soundness and safety of our structures.”
Protected with riprap, the Igorot Stone Kingdom employed landslide mitigation techniques to prevent erosion. “Our track records show that [the structure] will stand the test of earthquakes, the test of typhoons,” Velasco continued.
Not only does the closure of the Igorot Stone Kingdom affect tourists interested in visiting the site, but the order also impacts the lives of its employees. According to Velasco, over 70 vendors and employees will be temporarily furloughed until the attraction is permitted to operate again.
Nevertheless, Velasco looks forward to the reopening of the Igorot Stone Kingdom. “Sa mga turista, sa Facebook na muna tayo. Irecycle nalang muna natin mga pictures natin sa Stone Kingdom.”
Featured image credit: Neil Ongchangco via Baguio City Public Information Office | Official Facebook Page
Published at
About Author
Danielle Uy
If Disney were creative enough to let Mulan and Melody procreate, Danielle would be that child. From an early age, she has dreamt of becoming a purposeful revolutionary... and an unruly mermaid. While Danielle hasn't held a sword in her lifetime, she feels powerful enough with her byline. Her creative energy is fueled by many things: the quiet right before the rest of the world wakes up, the orange sky as the sun rises during an uncrowded morning surf, the beautiful bitter taste of black coffee, and the threatening reminder of a pending deadline.
Subscribe our Newsletter
Get our weekly tips and travel news!
Recommended Articles
10 Bantayan Island Resorts, Hotels, and Rentals for Your Tropical Escape 14 Best Credit Cards for Travel in the Philippines The only plastic we need for travel.
10 Best Mountain Cafes in the Philippines for Your Peak Coffee Experience Coffee date on the mountains, anyone?
10 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles Los Angeles is more than Hollywood stars. From hikes with killer views to beaches straight out of a rom-com, here are 10 must-do LA experiences for Filipino travellers or any wanderers in general!
10-day Christmas and New Year Japan Trip: Complete Travel Itinerary Celebrate Christmas and New Year in Japan with this 10-day holiday vacation itinerary packed with Tokyo lights, Kyoto charm, and Osaka adventures.
Latest Articles
Where to Stay in Vietnam: The Best Cities and Spots For Instagram-Worthy Snaps From luxury hotels to budget Airbnbs, here are the best places to stay in Vietnam with photogenic views.
Hong Kong Raises Airport Departure Tax By 67 Percent Hong Kong is hiking its airport departure tax for the first time in 22 years. Starting October 1, passengers will pay ₱1,430 in total—₱570 more than the current rate.
SB19 Is Officially Performing at Asia Artist Awards 2025 in Taiwan Catch SB19 live at the Asia Artist Awards 2025 in Taiwan this December! A’TINs, here’s a heads-up with travel and booking tips so you don’t miss the P-pop kings on stage.
Don’t Visit Batanes Until You Read This Batanes is stunning, but flights, weather, and costs can surprise you. Here’s the honest guide so your trip feels worth it.
How to Rebook or Refund Flights in the Philippines When Plans Change Cancelled flight? Typhoon delays? Don’t panic. PAL, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, and more give you options: refund, rebook, or travel credits. Here’s how.