THE provincial government of Cotabato, also referred to as North Cotabato, is developing eight tourism destinations that highlight its natural environment and indigenous culture.
These are: Pisan Caves in Kabacan; Asik-Asik Falls in Dado Alamada; Hillside Spring Resort in President Roxas; Liliongan Cave and Tourism Park at Liliongan, Carmen; 1,100-meter zipline, also in Carmen; Kirungdong Falls Ecotourism Park and a tribal village in Magpet; and the Pavilion Canopy in the capital Kidapawan City.
Governor Emmylou “Lala” Talino-Mendoza, in her State of the Province Address in late March, said there is already a budget allocation for the tourism development program and preparations are under way for implementation. Other sites that will also be developed include the UK Peak in Aleosan, Matigol Falls in Arakan, and a tribal village in Magpet. Ms. Mendoza said enhancing the environment and “preserving culture” is at the core of the tourism program, citing their Museyo Kutawato in Kidapawan City.
“We hope that this collection of art will not only remind us of our rich culture but also promote community awareness of the history of struggle and of coexistence of the tri-people in Cotabato Province. Museyo Kutawato has now 258 objects properly documented, housed and conserved,” she said. The governor said the province had 114,496 visitors in 2017. — Maya M. Padillo

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