A group of tourists from Manila has expressed their dismay over their experience at the Loboc Riverwatch Floating Resto, a popular attraction in Bohol that offers a buffet lunch while cruising along the scenic Loboc river.
The tourists, who shared their story on the DIY Travel Philippines Facebook group, claimed that they were charged for the soft drinks and bottled water that they thought were part of the buffet. They also said that the food was not worth the 850-peso fee, and that some of the waiters were rude and disrespectful to them.
“Wâ ko motuo ini pero ang #1, angay jud ipahibawo daan nga naay bajad,” one of the tourists wrote, which means “I didn’t believe this but #1, they should have informed us beforehand that there was a charge.”
The tourist also recounted how one of the waiters blamed them for not asking if the drinks were free, and did not apologize for his impolite manner. He even argued with the tourist’s parents, who were already elderly.
“I know some of you have enjoyed the cruise, (we also did nung first half until mangyari yung incident) but we will never forget how some of the crews treated us kahit minsan na nga lang kami makapunta sa lugar na yun. Hinding hindi na namin irerecommend sa mga friends at kakilala namin dahil nightmare talaga yung experience not just for me but for our whole family,” the tourist added, which means “I know some of you have enjoyed the cruise, (we also did until the incident happened) but we will never forget how some of the crews treated us even though we only went there once. We will never recommend it to our friends and acquaintances because the experience was a nightmare not just for me but for our whole family.”
The tourist also urged the Bohol Tourism Office to address these issues before they ruin the reputation of the province as a tourist destination.
The Loboc Riverwatch Floating Resto is one of the several floating restaurants that operate along the Loboc river.
According to its website, it offers a “sumptuous Filipino buffet” and live entertainment for 850 pesos per person.
It also claims to have a “friendly and accommodating staff” and a “clean and comfortable” environment.
However, the tourist’s post has elicited several comments from other netizens who shared similar experiences or expressed their sympathy.
Some also suggested other alternatives or tips for visiting the Loboc river.
The Bohol Tourism Office has not yet issued any statement regarding the complaint as of press time.
In a related post on FB two years back, Karen Zafra Cardenas commented on the river cruise cost, saying, “River cruising in Bohol is highly synonymous to the name Loboc. Usually, cruising in a general sense is romantic, but expensive. The Loboc River Cruise offers an unforgettable experience without the ridiculous price tag. Whether you cruise with your special someone, friends or family, you’re always in for a cruise to remember.”
Efforts to contact and solicit reaction from the management of Loboc River Floating and LGU Loboc failed as of press time. The Bohol Tribune would accommodate the response of LGU Loboc and floating resto as soon as its official public statement regarding the issue becomes available.
EXPENSIVE BOHOL
In 2022, a Facebook post by Leonid Marapao has gone viral after he expressed his frustration over the fees imposed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for visiting the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument (CHNM) in Bohol.
Marapao shared a photo of a signboard that lists the fees for different activities in the CHNM, such as protected area entrance, trekking, biking, mountain climbing, caving, scuba diving, whitewater rafting, and non-motorized water sport. He noted that the fees vary depending on whether the visitor is a Filipino or a foreigner, with foreigners paying much higher rates.
He also questioned the rationale behind the fees, asking “WHY???” in his post.
He added that the fees might discourage tourists from coming to Bohol, especially after the local government and the tourism sector have been promoting the province’s natural attractions on various social media platforms.
“Basin sunod ani mubayad nata para maka ligo sa loboc river or maligo sa panglao beach or mag bike2x mulabay sa man made forest & chocolate hills or other natural areas nga pwede nato adtoan. (Maybe next time we will have to pay to swim in the loboc river or bathe in the panglao beach or bike through the man made forest & chocolate hills or other natural areas that we can go to.)” he wrote.
Many netizens agreed with his sentiments and expressed their dismay over the DENR fees. Some also shared their own experiences of visiting the CHNM and other protected areas in Bohol.
However, according to the DENR, the fees are in accordance with the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, which mandates the establishment of an Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF) as a sustaining fund for the management, protection, administration, and development of the protected area.
DENR also explained that the fees are based on a sharing scheme, with 75% of the total collection going to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the CHNM, which deposits it under the Protected Area-Retained Income Account (PA-RIA), and the remaining 25% going to the National Treasury’s general fund.
DENR added that the fees are valid for three days and cover access to all CHNM sites, and that persons with disability, senior citizens, and children below 7 years old are exempted from paying the entrance fees.
The agency also appealed to the public to understand the need for the fees, as they are used for the conservation and maintenance of the CHNM, which is one of the country’s most iconic and internationally recognized natural wonders. The CHNM covers an area of 1,776 hectares and consists of more than 1,200 cone-shaped hills that resemble chocolate kisses when they turn brown during the dry season.
DENR also urged the public to support the efforts of the government and the local communities in preserving the CHNM and other protected areas in Bohol, which are home to rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. The DENR said that the fees are a way of ensuring that the CHNM and other protected areas will remain as sources of pride and inspiration for the present and future generations.
BOHOL STILL THE BEST
Financial consultant Jonathan Yabut, in a review last year, raved about Bohol’s diverse attractions.
Yabut, the Filipino winner of the hit reality TV show The Apprentice Asia, recently shared his love for Bohol, one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines.
In a Facebook post, he said that he has been to Bohol many times, both for work and leisure, but he never gets tired of visiting the place.
“Back in Manila but mentally I’m still in Bohol,” he wrote.
Yabut also challenged his followers to name another place in the Philippines that beats the variety of tourist things to do in Bohol.
He compared Bohol to other popular destinations such as Boracay, Palawan, Cebu, and Baguio, and claimed that Bohol has more to offer.
“Arguably, Bohol is that destination that has the most diverse things to do (challenge me: is there any other place in PH that beats the variety of tourist things to do?),” he said.
He then listed some of the major attractions in Bohol, such as the Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier Sanctuary, the Loboc River, the centuries-old churches, the Spanish colonial houses, the blade smithing industry, the partying along Alona coastline, and the serene private beaches of Panglao.
“But Bohol boasts of a loooong list of things that are major attractions on their own! Some provinces can only take pride of 1 statue, 1 church, or 1 mountain. But Bohol is a buffet of these things,” he said.
He also encouraged his followers to visit Bohol if they haven’t yet, and thanked the staff of The Bellevue Resort in Panglao, where he stayed, for their amazing hospitality.
“If you haven’t been to Bohol, you HAVE TO! Also thanking the amazing hospitality and team of The Bellevue Resort in Panglao where we stayed. Awesome awesome place!” Yabut said.