Golimbi (front) with a rescue team giving a helping hand to flood victims in Penampang.
PENAMPANG : – The natural disaster that has lasted for more than a week in Penampang has also had a negative impact on more than 10 tourism operators who have suffered losses due to damage to their assets, natural resources and company equipment.
Penampang Tourism Association (PTA) President Benjamin Golimbi said the impact of the disaster is quite serious because it has also affected the economy and daily lives of tourism operators.
He is currently waiting for a full report along with a list of losses suffered by operators here and when it is complete he will request assistance from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac).
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families and communities affected by this disaster. The impact has been quite serious,” he said in a statement today.
He said, tourism relies heavily on accessibility, safety and the unique attractions that the operators are promoting.
When disaster strikes, the immediate effect is cancellations, loss of income for local operators and disruption to on-going tourism activities.
Golimbi wants the affected members of the association and tourism operators in Penampang not to give up hope and to always be steadfast in the face of the recent disaster which killed 13 people.
He stressed that as an association that looks after their welfare, certain risks can actually be avoided if proper environmental planning and safety measures are enforced early.
However, looking at the bigger picture, he said what is happening is a wake-up call and an eye-opener for all parties.
For example, development on hillsides without adequate protection and safeguards, poor drainage systems or neglecting natural water catchment zones makes everyone more vulnerable to all possibilities.
“Some of this could have been prevented if stricter monitoring was done. What we need now is a balance between development and sustainability,” he explained adding that if development projects in Penampang’s green zone are not properly controlled, the situation will get worse.
According to him, these green areas act as natural sponges, absorbing and regulating water flow. It is very effective in preventing severe landslides.
“Once these green zones are disturbed by excessive hill cutting, land clearing or unplanned construction, the soil loses its ability to absorb water effectively.”
“This leads to an increase in excess rainwater flowing on the surface of the soil and can no longer absorb into the soil effectively,” he said.
As a result, it’s not only causes one incident but will continue to repeat, each time worse, affecting not only the environment but also public safety, livelihoods and the long-term sustainability of the area.
“This has proven to have an impact on tourism in Penampang which is now suffering the worst landslide ever recorded in the history of natural disasters in this district.
“Without strict monitoring and control of these projects, Penampang will face repeated cycles of disaster, where recovery becomes harder and costlier each time. This situation leads to a higher risk of flooding and landslides during heavy rains,” he stressed.
Golimbi noted that Penampang provides many attractive tourist destinations for the people in the hilly areas such as riverside campsites that provide various water activities.
“Penampang has great potential in eco-tourism, cultural tourism and community-based initiatives but all of these can only survive if we respect the environment and ensure the safety of visitors,” he added.
PTA hope all stakeholders, government agencies, local councils, community leaders and the tourism players can work together to rebuild confidence.
He said this is because, tourism is about trust and when people see that everyone is taking disaster prevention and response seriously, they will return and support.
In the current state of recovery, tourism operators continue to carry out tourism activities such as the Donggongon Cultural Walk which began as a regular weekly program every Thursday.
Among the interesting destinations near the river in Penampang are Tolungan Riverside, Watu Gondiron, Tagal Tinopikan, Tampasak Eco Camp and Watu Sandad Borneo. Several of these destinations are believed to have been affected by last week’s flood.