MIDSAYAP, Cotabato Province (PIA)—The local government here pushes for the promotion of local tourism now that the government is easing the COVID-19 restrictions.

In an interview during the Network Briefing News program Thursday, Mayor Romeo Araña said the LGU is strengthening tourism initiatives since Midsayap is part of the Cotabato City-Kidapawan City agri-tourism corridor.

“We are now focusing on the concreting and rehabilitation of tourism and farm-to-market roads to provide the public access to our tourism sites,” Araña explained.

He added that the LGU will soon open a cultural heritage training facility which will serve as a learning venue to equip the public with knowledge on agri-tourism and technologies, to improve production and processing of local products.

Currently, the local chief executive said, there is an ongoing cultural mapping in the municipality in partnership with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. Through this initiative, the LGU is looking forward to rediscovering traditional practices of people as far as agriculture and production are concerned.

Meanwhile, Araña shared that the public enjoys two festivals in the municipality. These are the Sinugba Festival every November and Halad Festival every January. The official said, with the better new normal, the LGU is looking forward to again showcase the rich culture and bountiful harvest of the town.

Aside from the festivals, Midsayap he said has agri-tourism sites that the public should visit to learn more about advanced agricultural and farming technologies. These are the Alcor Farm in Barangay Central Glad, Manna’s Farm in Barangay Central Bulanan, and the Southern Christian College Farm in Barangay Poblacion 8.

Aside from being an accredited learning sites for agriculture, the three farms are producers of local products. These products include shrimp paste, blue ternate juice, organic soap, coconut jam, dried mangoes, among many others.

Araña also emphasized that the LGU continues to improve its tourism facilities such as the public terminal, mega market, and tourist accommodations because the town serves as a stopover for most who visit the well-known Asik-asik Falls in the neighboring town of Alamada.

To strengthen economic activity through tourism amid pandemic, he urged the public as well as the provincial government to continue working together in the development and promotion of local tourism. (PIA Cotabato Province)