THANKFUL. New Israel village chief Lovely Paraiso expresses gratitude to the provincial leaders for developing their place as an eco-tourism spot in Cotabato province, January 3, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the proposed 1.2 Kms. and 1.0 Km. zip lines. The project will be completed by March this year. (davaotoday.com photo by Alex D. Lopez)
“If materialized, these will be the longest zip lines not only in the country but in the entire Asia,” said Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan in a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday as he called the occasion a historic day for the village and the entire municipality.
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
MAKILALA, Cotabato, Philippines – Local and foreign tourists are going to enjoy a 1.2-Kilometer and another 1.0 Km. zip lines in New Israel village here in two months time.
“If materialized, these will be the longest zip lines not only in the country but in the entire Asia,” said Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan in a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday as he called the occasion a historic day for the village and the entire municipality.
The project which costs PHP 5 million is seen to further boost the eco-tourism industry of the province while providing more livelihood opportunities to the local residents, said Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza.
“Cotabato is ready for tourism and this is an indication that the province has a good peace and security situation,” she said in a statement.
The budget for the proposed zip lines is realized from the share of the provincial government for being the host of the geothermal project in Mt. Apo.
“This will mean additional income to the local funds that could be transformed into various infrastructure and livelihood projects,” the governor said as she urged the local officials and residents to support the eco-tourism programs being implemented in the area.
The first village to benefit directly from eco-tourism, she noted, was Dado village in Alamada town where the majestic ‘Asik-Asik’ falls is located. The village now enjoys an additional income of over PHP 200,000 per month “due to the influx of tourists and visitors in the area.”
THE LONGEST IN ASIA. Makilala town mayor Rudy Caoagdan describes the proposed zip line project in his area as the longest in the country and Asia during the groundbreaking ceremony, January 3, in New Israel village, Cotabato province. (davaotoday.com photo by Alex D. Lopez)
The Department of Tourism (DOT)-XII Officer-in-Charge Jose Cabulanan said the rehabilitation of the road network leading to New Israel village is already funded under the convergence program of the DOT and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Soon, Cabulanan said, the road will be improved for the convenience of incoming tourists, foreign and domestic alike.
Village chief Lovely Paraiso said making their locality an eco-tourism spot will help her constituents augment their income as tourists and visitors frequent their area. “(The zip lines project) will further strengthen our plans and programs to uplift the economic condition of the residents here,” she said. (Alex D. Lopez/davaotoday.com)
