MANILA -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) has urged all visitors to comply with the travel and tourism-related activities at Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales.

This is following an executive order issued by the local government unit of Botolan, Zambales.

Executive Order No. 05 s. 2025 by the Botolan LGU stated the “Suspension of All Tourism-related Activities, Programs, and Projects at Mt. Pinatubo until Further Notice," beginning on May 2 (Friday). 

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"The DOT acknowledges the significant role that Mt. Pinatubo plays in the local tourism industry and fully supports the actions taken by the Botolan LGU under Mayor Jun Omar C. Ebdane," said the DOT in a statement.

The suspension of tourism activities came after members of the Aeta Indigenous Peoples of Tarlac last month expressed concern over their indigenous rights and tourism practices in the area.

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) said that the Aeta community members blocked access to the Mt. Pinatubo Center over fair compensation and recognition of their ancestral domain on April 18.

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"The Department puts utmost consideration on the concerns raised by the five Ayta clans from Capas, Tarlac, during a recent consultative session organized by the DOT Central Luzon Office and various stakeholders," said the DOT.