Witnessing Davao Oriental’s Progress and Transformation

City of Mati, Davao Oriental — This issue will attempt to catch the wonderment of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) in Southern Mindanao at Davao Oriental’s eco-tourism program. ARENA recently held its immersion activity cum consultation in Davao Oriental, and the visiting top government officials shared with CMN Mati Radio DXHM-AM/DXDV-FM their first-hand reactions and comments on the province’s very promising progress and transformation.

“Transformative magic of travel is here,” quipped one official as she was overwhelmed by the province’s famous Dahican Beach. “This beach beats the world-class beaches of Hawaii. You’ve got the best tourism destinations in the country, so pristine, so promising,” another official added.

The immersion activity cum consultation that was held in early February aimed at strengthening collaboration and partnership among agencies with the local government units in the province for the efficient delivery of government projects. Governor Corazon Malanyaon briefed the executives on the province’s development programs, particularly the ‘Serbisyo caravan’ of ARENA XI that assisted affected communities in terms of recovery and rehabilitation efforts. Three years hence, the ARENA XI members decided to undertake this immersion activity to witness firsthand the progress and transformation at the community level,” explains Maria Lourdes Lim, regional director of the National Economic Development Authority(NEDA).

The visiting officials were welcomed at the Banaybanay Welcome Park and they proceeded to the province’s crown jewel, the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, the only World Heritage Site in the island of Mindanao declared by the UNESCO. The group then traveled to the provincial capital, City of Mati, to visit the other top tourism landmarks of the province, like the world-class Subangan Museum and the Dahican Beach. The following day, officials visited the road improvement projects and tourism facilities, such as the Baganga Sunrise Boulevard, in Caraga the oldest Catholic Church of San Salvador Parish and Pusan Point, where the sun first rises. They also visited the largest irrigation project in Mindanao – Aragon Dam, and in Cateel – the country’s most beautiful waterfalls, the Aliwagwag Falls, and the Riverview Park.

“The resplendent landscape and seascape of Davao Oriental, a wind-swept province south of Mindanao, will give you an exciting and powerful experience that can change forever your outlook on nature. Its lovely sea and the treasure troves of riches beneath its surface, its myriad forest, lush mountain peaks, verdant ravines, waterfalls and cool coastal areas down to the coral reefs, the mangrove forests, plus the lakes and rivers that breed an impressive array of plant and animal species are the most enjoyable reasons for coming,” recounted another official.

Qualitatively different from other destinations, Davao Oriental is host to long wild and untamed beaches of white fine sand that enjoy the best view of the mesmerizing infinite waters of the Pacific Ocean. And having the most impressive scenery that directly faces both the Pacific Ocean and the Celebes Sea, the long coastlines of Davao Oriental are sanctuaries of sea cows, whales, dolphins and marine turtles that nest along sandy beaches. The crystal-clear waters of Davao Oriental’s awesome and serene beaches both in the islands and mainland provides blissful moments for wanderers. Wildlife viewers and serious nature observers spend unhurried periods of time in areas of unspoiled wilderness to have spectacular encounters with wild animals without too much sweat and inconveniences.

In Davao Oriental, you will experience the best animal encounter that provides meaningful environmental lessons. Whale-watching can be a lot of fun. It can be done from land or sea depending on how close the whales, dolphins and dugongs or sea cows are to shore. Mount Hamiguitan, a complete, substantially intact and diverse mountain ecosystem, has become the first and only place in the island of Mindanao declared as a World Heritage Site, adding worldwide prestige to a province known as the “sunrise capital” of the Philippines. Habitats of wild animals and plants have already been mapped out so that tourists who wanted to experience the mountain not just for its beautiful pygmy forest and other landscapes can be brought to see plants and animals up close as well. As an example, a Philippine eagle nest located recently could be a perfect spot for local and international bird enthusiasts to visit and see the “jewel of all birds” in its natural state. “Davao Oriental is a place that beguiles and inspires, sedates and stirs, where the distance between heaven and earth collapse and you will be able to catch glimpses of the divine you are united with nature,” declared a mesmerized government executive based in Davao City. (Ideas from Ferdinand Zuasola)