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Kuyog festival sparks tourism development in Sultan Kudarat
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: -
Date: 2005-05-03
 
The staging of Kuyog festival in Intramuros, Manila recently was quite a revelation on what the provinces and cities comprising Region 12 (Central Mindanao) could offer in terms of tourism, native products, and culture of its inhabitants. For 15 days, April 3 to 17, Kuyog, meaning all together, featuring varied exhibits displaying the products and culture of Region 12 became the main attraction at Clamshell I in Intramuros, Manila.



The festival was participated in by the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, Sarangani, and South Cotabato and the cities of Kidapawan, Koronadal and General Santos. These provinces and cities put up separate booths displaying the major products in their respective areas. Each booth made quite a brisk sale for the duration of the festival.



The 15-day festival featured a nightly cultural presentation emphasizing the culture and tradition of each of the provinces and cities comprising Region 12. Sultan Kudarat, which is famous for its hot and cold spring in the town of Columbio presented "Abyan ni Teng Cultural Dance Group" which like the other cultural dance groups from Region 12 earned the applause and appreciation of those who came to the festival.



Wittingly or unwittingly, Kuyog festival gave the officials of Sultan Kudarat led by Gov. Pax Mangudadatu and his son, Rep. Suharto Teng Mangudadatu of the lone district of the province, the green light for the full-blast development of its tourism industry. The success of the Kuyog festival evidently gave them the idea that if fully developed, Sultan Kudarat’s tourism program could generate jobs, raise revenues, propel progress and sustain the momentum of economic development in the area, particularly in the countryside.



Rep. Suharto, who received a certificate of commendation for his support and cooperation in staging Kuyog festival signed by Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace H. Durano and DoT Regional Director Sohura T. Dimaampao, said Sultan Kudarat has a number of potential tourist spots which, if fully developed, could bring in foreign and local tourists.



Suharto’s congressional Chief of Staff Roberto Milanes and Provincial Tourism Officer of Sultan Kudarat, identified the potential tourist spots of the province that could be tapped for eco-tourism development as the Bagumbayan Pitot cave and Bamban falls, Columbio Hot and Cold Springs, Datablao cave and Sinapulan cold spring; Esperanza Mambucal hot spring; Isulan Lagandang hot/sulfur spring, Kalamansig sulfuric hot spring at Sisiman, burial urns, white sand beaches, home of tuna and bangus fries; Lambayong Lamris Dam; Lebak Sodoy beach and Nuling hot spring; Lutayan Lake Buluan, Palimbang Alidama Island, Seven Lakes; Sen. Ninoy Aquino Burial urns, Nati spring, Kipulao falls, and Paradise cave; and the New Carmen Boy Scout Camp in Tacurong City.



Rep. Suharto emphasized that Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, North and South Cotabato are fortunate to have flexible, well-educated and industrious workforce coupled with entrepreneurial flair, capable of maintaining economic vibrancy, productivity, creativity and resourcefulness.



"With this advantage, more investments and employment opportunities will pour in within the sphere of influence of Sultan Kudarat Airport," he said. "Sustainability, therefore, of the operation of Sultan Kudarat Airport based on the given indicators is a foregone conclusion." (E. T. Suarez)
 

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