Davao Norte boosts tourism activities

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

DAVAO CITY: The Davao del Norte provincial government has recently launched a program aimed at boosting the tourism industry and economic activities in the province.

The program dubbed #DavNorTravels is a flagship initiative of Gov. Edwin Jubahib's administration, with the goal of showcasing the natural and cultural beauty of Davao del Norte to both local and international tourists.

"DavNor Travels is not just a tourism program but a step towards making Davao del Norte a destination of choice for tourists and investors alike. With this program, we aim to create new job opportunities, stimulate local businesses and boost the local economy," Jubahib said.

With its diverse cultural heritage, breathtaking natural wonders and rich history, Davao del Norte has much to offer to tourists, and through the #DavNorTravels, both local and foreign tourists alike get to experience the province's best.

"Our goal is to make Davao del Norte a hub for tourism and economic growth, and I am confident that with the support of our local government units, the private sector, and the community, we can achieve this. I invite everyone to visit Davao del Norte and experience its rich culture, beautiful landscapes and warm hospitality."

Jubahib alongside other provincial officials led by provincial tourism officer Noel Daquioag, visited the famous tourist and emerging destinations in the towns of Santo Tomas, Talaingod, New Corella and Panabo City, among other areas.

The province's contingent was also joined by local government officials, business leaders and community members. It can be recalled that the Jubahib administration funded several tourism-related infrastructures in various local government units in a bid to position the province as a prime tourism destination in the Davao Region.

In 2023, the Jubahib administration funded P3.84 million to operationalize Davao del Norte's Sustainable Tourism Development Program to boost the tourism industry and stir economic activities in the province.

The tourism industry in the province is classified as sun and beach tourism, diving and marine sports tourism, education and agri-tourism, sports tourism, MICE, events tourism, cultural tourism, and ecotourism.

The province has identified three major areas of destination where people can visit and go.

These are the Island Garden City of Samal with its white sand beaches, diving sites, and water sports, the vast banana plantations in the mainland and the highland journey in nature and culture that include waterfalls, rivers, springs, and lakes at the towns of Kapalong, New Corella, Asuncion, San Isidro and the Ata-Manobo Cultural village in Talaingod.

With its commitment to sustainable tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage, the #DavNorTravels program is poised to become a game-changer for the province and its people.

Davao Norte gears up for 51st Kadagayaan Festival 2018

Week-long festivities will usher in the 51st Kadagayaan Festival of Davao del Norte, this time featuring the "Visit Davao Summer Festival 2018" aimed at showcasing the province's diverse culture and rich natural resources.

The festival, which will run from June 24 to July 1, will honor the 'Dabaonons' proud heritage, multicultural identity, resiliency and creativity, said Davao del Norte provincial tourism head Noel Daquioag.

Among the activities lined up for the festival is the holding of the Investment Conference (ICon), in partnership with the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalem-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Daquioag said the festival is also being supported by the Department of Tourism, which is also organizing a tourism fair featuring interactive exhibits to be showcased in an open-air pavilion in partnership with the local government units and industry leaders.

The exhibit, he said, will be on the province's must-visit destinations, such as popular beaches and waterfalls, coral gardens, marine park, and culture farm for pearls. Another pavilion will feature an Agri-Aqua Trade Expo with a highly-interactive exhibit of industry-based products.

Daquioag said one of the main highlights will be the Binibining DavNor 2018, which organizers hope to become the grandest beauty pageant in the region.

I am honored and blessed being invited to become one of the distinguished judges along with selected government official, beauty queens, beauty pageant mentors and other influential personalities.

Another will be the Hudyaka 2018, featuring the different festivals all over Mindanao, showcasing the heritage of the island's tribes and ethnic groups.

Meanwhile, some 300 participants will see action during the MUSAMAN TriDavNor National Triathlon competing in the 1.5-km swim, 40 km bike and 10-km run.

Daquioag said the race aims a promote a healthier lifestyle and at the same time promote the province's tourism sites.

Flood in Davao and its Neighbours

DAVAO CITY – More than 5,000 families or 25,000 individuals have been affected by the flooding that hit riverside villages here following non-stop rain since Saturday night.

The city government has called off classes from kindergarten to high school, in both public and private schools, Monday as the city continues to assess the extent of the damage from one of the worst flooding the city has experienced in the past years.

Emmanuel Jaldon, the chief of the Davao City Disaster Risk and Management Council (DCDRMC), said local officials have issued the warning as early 9 p.m. Saturday because of the overflowing of the Tamugan river, one of the main tributaries of the Davao river.

As a result, at least 12 barangays (villages) lining down Davao river was submerged in flood.

Jaldon, however, said some residents who have already been used to floods, refused to evacuate, which was the reason some of them were trapped.

“The problem is their coping threshold, most of them have already experienced the worst of flooding, so, they just don’t evacuate until the waters reach critical level,” he said. “They still stayed on the second floor of their houses, believing they still have a second chance.”

Jaldon also said the rain still continues in the upland areas of Davao City, and that as of 2:30 p.m. Sunday, the water continues to rise.

Dante Donayre, operations chief of the DCDRMC, said that despite the disaster-preparedness training held for community leaders in the past, the disaster-preparedness is still wanting in the community level as elected barangay officials still fail to re-echo these in the communities.

Malou Bermudo, chief of the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO), said a total of 5,165 families from 12 city barangays affected by the flood are now in different evacuation centers; among them, are 2,700 families from Buhangin area, which covered the Jade Valley and Juliville Subdivisions.

Choreyn Mae Dumape, 20, a resident of Jade Valley who was rescued from the top of their house, said her parents were still inside the village.

“My parents are still there,” Dumape said, adding that the water rose at around 1 a.m. Sunday.

In Compostela Valley, at least 178 families have left their homes, even as authorities forced some residents to evacuation centers as water levels in major rivers there continue to rise, threatening low-lying communities, according to Raul Villocino, provincial disaster officer.

In neighboring Davao del Norte province, over 800 people have been evacuated overnight as floodwater swamped the rice-producing municipalities of Kapalong, Sto. Tomas, Braulio Dujali and Asuncion, said Romulo Tagalo, Davao del Norte assistant administrator.

Those evacuated, according to Villocino, included 129 families in the villages of Andap, Cogonon and Cabinuangan, in New Bataan, the town which suffered the most number of casualties in last December’s killer storm.

At least 37 families also headed to the evacuation centers in Basak and Magsaysay villages in Nabunturan, while 12 families from Sitio (Sub-village) Pag-ibig, in the mining village of Mt. Diwalwal in Monkayo town sheltered at the village hall due to fear of a landslide, the disaster official said.

Waist-deep floodwater has submerged most of Maniki village, the center of Kapalong town, forcing many residents to flee to safer grounds, Mayor Edgardo Timbol said. Germelina Lacorte, Dennis Jay Santos, Karlos Manlupig, Ayan C. Mellejor and Frinston L. Lim, Inquirer Mindanao

Missing Blindfish of Mayayahay Cave

Compostela Valley - Ever heard or seen a blind fish? Chances are you will not see again in Mahayahay cave in the village of Taboran, unless you are fortune.

The cave is less then a ten minutes walk from the military camp of the 72nd Infantry battalion at camp Manuel T. yan, Sr., headquarters of the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army - 12 km 

away from Tagum City in Davao del Norte.

Efren Tagorda, representative from the Regional Office of the Department of Environment and National Resources - Protected Area Wildlife Division confirmed the "very slim" chance inside the cave of seeing this species of fish.

The unchecked and unregulated caving activities in the past have contributed to the disappearance of the blindfish.

(My grateful thanks to Christine T. Dompor, MPA, Provincial Tourism Officer for sharing this!)

 

Hope For Mountain People Ata-Manobos

The news are from Talaingod in Davao del Norte. A seemingly endless array of mountain slopes transforms into unusual shades of green that engulf the municipality of Talaingod. Though it ised to be the center of massive logging until the early 1990s, rivers still abound with life and tall trees crown its mountains.

But Talaingod is more than just a spectacular display of nature. Located at the border of Bukidnon and Davao City, it cradles a unique and colorful culture. It is home to the proud Ata-Manabos.

The Ata-Manobos dominate Talaingod with about 80% of the municipality's population. They most live in small sitios that are scattered over a wide 45,496 hectares of forest and dangerous terrain, isolating them from civilization and hindering access to their basic needs.

These proud people in the uplands never really dreamed of ever getting out from the black hole of poverty. For many, it is simply their fate. But what was more disturbing was the people's idea of the government. In all their life they have never seen a government worker. 

The entry of KALAHI-CIDSS (Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) in 2004 at least let the tribal people started to become aware of the services of the government. Despite being among the remotest areas of the Davao Region, Talaingod started to implement the 2--4 program and the people started to appreciate the efforts of the government.

(Many thanks to Leslie Lao-Francisco, DSWD, for sharing these thoughts with us.)