White-water river rafting:RP’s newest tourism product

CAGAYAN DE ORO (PNA) – It is only in the last few years that peddlers have began exploring Philippine rivers.

Not because the country lacks exciting white-water runs, nor because the rivers are remote or inaccessible, but many people believed that a country with few rivers large enough to appear on a map must have low white-water potential.

But in reality, the geography creates excellent runs. Many mountains lie close to the ocean, so water courses plunge straight to the sea.

In the interior of Mindanao and Luzon, some rivers build up enough volume, especially in the wet season, to offer rafting.

There are some great white water around Cagayan de Oro, with challenges and excitement for those with various levels of experience on two of the Philippines’ best rivers – both of them recent discoveries by white-water enthusiasts.

If you are looking for some action, the Bubunawan River here comes roaring out of the forested north slope of Mt. Kitanlad, cutting a deep canyon through the limestone of the Bukidnon slope plain and merging with the Cagayan River just four kilometers from the Cagayan de Oro Airport.

This makes it the most accessible white-water river in the country, as well as one of the most challenging.

The river is also very consistent, rainfall in Mindanao is more evenly distributed than in any other parts of the country, making the top level susceptible to seasoned variations in water level.

Over 50 kilometers of the Bubunawan river is accessible to river runners. The grade five upper half of the river is separated from the grade four level section by a larger waterfall, which requires a portage.

Access to the upper half, the more difficult section is by jeepney to Barangay San Vicente, where you will have to hire a carabao cart to take your gear to the put-on.

The upper Bubunawan is a least narrow river and much of it runs in a narrow canyon. The riverbed is littered with huge rocks.

Here, there are many rock obstacles to be negotiated (fortunately, however, most of the rocks are smooth) and the river most often changes direction at abrupt angles of up to 90 degrees.

The waves are large and often irregular. The rapids are continuous and opportunities for an easy stop may not always be available. Because of this, and because of the waterfall, this river is best run with a guide who is familiar with the water.

Rupert Domingo is one of the active operators of white-water rafting. When we were in Cagayan, it was very timely that a balikbayan family from New Jersey was preparing for the white-water rafting.

“Now, people are starting to enjoy the thrill and excitement of doing the white-water rafting. One only needs a stamina for this,” Domingo said.

He added, “each passenger pays R1,200 that includes everything, from land transport and their lunch.”

The Cagayan also runs out of Bukidnon plain, at a somewhat less radical pace than the Bubunawan. Access is by jeepney to Cagayan de Oro to Talakag or Burungan, Bukidnon.

The run is about 20 kilometers from the farthest entry point and can be completed in one long day or 2 short days. The greater part of the run is of grade 1-2, with a few sections at grade 3, possibly up to grade 4 in periods of high flow.

It seems certain that at least some still unexplored rivers will offer high-quality padding action.

Explorers have targeted the Mambuaya River, upper Polangui River in Bukidnon; the Tagaloan River in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental and the Mandulog River in Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.