DAVAO DEL NORTE (PIA)--- Davao del Norte features five tourism circuits in the Colours of Mindanao.
Guesting in the recent edition of Kapihan sa DavNor, Davao del Norte Tourism Officer Noel Daquioag explained that each region in Mindanao is being assigned a certain color to represent the kaleidoscope of Colors of Mindanao which is a project of the Department of Tourism.
Bannering the color Red assigned for Davao Region, Davao del Norte also has identified its own array of five tourism circuit-destinations that the Colors of Mindanao actually means.
To package the natural endowments of Davao del Norte, its abundance in agriculture and eco-tourism, in culture and heritage, and its human resources. The Provincial Government will feature “Agri-Ecotourism” as its first circuit and branded with the theme “Celebrate Abundance”. This highlights Davao del Norte’s bounty of nature’s wonder such as waterfalls, rivers as well as its agricultural strength as a major banana exporter, as a coffee and cacao grower.
Daquioag mentioned as a featured agri-tourism destination “The Agriya” in Panabo City that showcases a banana plantation and a banana packing house for tourists to exactly know exported bananas are grown, harvested, and packed for export shipping.
Bannering the theme “Embrace Our People”, Culture and Heritage is the second identified tourism circuit of Davao del Norte, featuring the “Ising Peace Memorial” in the Municipality of Carmen and the Municipality of Talaingod where the Tribal Village project would be revived.
Daquioag revealed having proposed that the Battle of Ising Memorial be renamed into Ising Peace Memorial. It is the exact site where the Filipino guerillas together with the combined Filipino-American army forces fought and won against the Japanese forces during the second World War.
With more than 70 percent Ata-Manobo residents, Talaingod deserves to hoist the banner as a cultural destination of the Province, and Daquioag sees it best to fully develop a cultural village in the area where tourists can immerse and engage with the Ata-Manobos for tourists to get the feel of the tribe’s way of life.
For Highland Adventures, Davao del Norte waves the theme, “Brave New Heights” featuring the “Lantawan ni Bakoko” hill in Sto Tomas, the Tugtugunan Falls in Kapalong, the Okbot Cave also in Kapalong, and the Balimba Hills in Talaingod.
Daquioag said that the Highland Adventure destinations in Davao del Norte can further take tourists to climb the heights of Mt. Megalong, and even the Pantaron Range which also traverses Davao del Norte province.
While Davao City stands as the main destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions/Conference and Events (MICE) in Davao Region, Daquioag said that Davao del Norte grooms the three cities of Tagum, Panabo and the Island Garden City of Samal as a MICE circuit which encapsulates the spirit of “Redefined Meetings and Fun”.
Meanwhile, Davao del Norte sets the Island Garden City of Samal as a one whole circuit of destinations being a wide area to explore at the middle of the Davao Gulf.
Bannering the theme “Experience the Island Fun”, Samal Island as a single tourism circuit presents the Monfort Bat Conservation Park, the Hagimit Falls, the Sanipaan Marine Park and the Taklobo (Giant Clam) Culture Farm.
However, Daquioag reveals more destinations in Samal such as the Isla Farm where varieties of herbs including those less known medicinal plants are grown; the Vanishing Island; the Talicud Island. On top of these, are the cuisine of Samal which is also into Mango production apart from marine seafood.
Narrating the must-see places in Davao del Norte and the must-taste food of Davao del Nort, including the grilled five-flavor “balut” in the Municipality of Carmen, and the “Tinambiran suman” in Samal, Daquioag invites Dabaonons to tour DavNor.
“Suroyon nato ang atong sariling probinsya (Let us tour our own province), even before we go to the other destinations,” he said. (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)
