OFW's death prompts DOT travel advisory on Mount Pinatubo

The death of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who jumped into a deep section of Mount Pinatubo's crater has prompted the Department of Tourism (DOT) to issue a travel advisory to people planning to hike at the mountain. Department of Tourism Central Luzon Director Ronaldo Tiotuico also said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has found hazardous substances in Pinatubo's crater lake water. "We remind foreign and local hikers who intend to mount an uphill climb to Pinatubo via the jump-off point in Sta. Juliana in Capas, Tarlac that the serene crystal blue lake is only meant to be a majestic vista that is to be charmed by its natural beauty and never to be treated like a resort playground for swimming, kayaking or aqua cycling," Tiotuico said, according to a Jan. 7 report of the Philippine Information Agency. The DOT said the OFW, 44 years old, jumped into a deep section of its crater lake. Tiotuico reminded tourists not to stay close to the lakeshore due to frequent rock falls and landslides, especially during heavy downpour. “(Phivolcs) has found the Pinatubo crater lake water to contain hazardous substances, specifically arsenic, aluminum, boron, chloride, iron, manganese, sulphate and total solids which may affect human health in various ways and may become fatal over an extended period of time,” he added. - VVP, GMA News