Camaligan floating diner to reopen soon

The Camaligan floating restaurant prior to the Covid-19 crisis.

CAMALIGAN, Camarines Sur---The popular Camaligan River Cruise will be seen floating again along the Bicol River sometime in July this year after the local government unit (LGU) here has complied with the health protocols and regulations of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Lawyer Lea Valeriano-Cea, Camaligan tourism officer, said that the river cruise temporarily stopped operation three months ago due to the imposition of the enhanced and later on general community quarantine (ECQ/GCQ) in the the province and the region.

She said the floating restaurant when it stopped operation was used by the Camaligan LGU as temporary operation center to minimize the number of employees working in the municipal hall.

Cea said the price of the river cruise when it reopens next month will depend on their ongoing studies and approval of the Sangguniang Bayan.

She said that her office will resume the river cruise after maintenance works are completed. A test cruise was conducted on Sunday, June 21.

Cea said that once the floating restaurant resumes operation, it will accommodate thirty persons only and physical distancing will be strictly observed among its customers.

“Temperature checks and hand sanitation will also be conducted to ensure public safety from Covid-19” she said.

Last year, Camaligan LGU earned over P 1 million from its river cruise business, Cea said.

She admitted that they expect lower income this year because of Covid-19.

Cea said that the cruise, when it returns to business, will be open from 5:00-8:00 PM. She urged customers to register as early as 4:30 PM as limited seats are available.

Before the lockdown, customers pay P500/person for the cruise.