MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The local government of Balindong is proud to have different ecotourism destinations that travelers and adventurers might want to experience when restrictions due to the pandemic will be lifted.

Balindong Mayor Benjamin Bagul said that one of these destinations is the Mt. Matampor located in Bualan village.

"Pag nasa tuktok ka makikita mo talaga yung view, almost 80% kita mo yung buong Lanao del Sur, at yung maganda doon you will see yung sea of clouds. Yung sleeping beauty makikita mo din dun, isang range na parang natutulog na babae kaya tinawag na sleeping beauty," he said during Tuesday's episode of Network Briefing News with Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

["When you're at the top you can really see the view, almost 80% you can see the whole of Lanao del Sur, and the beauty in there is that you will see a sea of clouds. You can also see the sleeping beauty there, a range that looks like a sleeping woman so we called it sleeping beauty.]

Bagul said the place which is about 1,825 meters above sea level is ideal for camping and a good place to appreciate sunrise.

According to him, a group of mountaineers coming from Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Cotabato, and Maguindanao has climbed Mt. Matampor before the pandemic and some are requesting the local government to hold another climb event.

Aside from the Mt. Matampor, Bagul said they also have floating cottages and Taytay Lake View.

"So far, hindi pa ito fully developed kasi gusto naming concept ay babalansehin natin yung environment at tourism. Di natin pwedeng pag iwanan ang environment, importante ang environment. Konting infrastructure, yung hindi makakasira ng kalikasan, yan ang major aim natin, " he said.

[So far, it has not been fully developed because we want the concept of balance between environment and tourism. The environment, cannot be neglected because the environment is important. Only a few infrastructures, those that do not damage the environment, that is our major aim.] 

Emphasizing the importance of protecting the environment to make tourism more sustainable, Bagul said they are also conducting cleanup drives in the lakeshore areas of the municipality to preserve Lake Lanao. (APB/PIA-ICIC)