North Cotabato to put up own zipline in Makilala

By LITO DELOS REYES

MAKILALA, North Cotabato – The provincial government of North Cotabato conducted its ground breaking and capsule laying ceremonies yesterday (December 3) for the construction of its 1.2 kilometer and 1.0 kilometer ziplines as part of the development of the New Israel Eco-Tourism Park here in Barangay New Israel.

Gov. Lala Taliño-Mendoza said that the zipline in New Israel, which could be one of the longest in the country, is only just one of her tourism projects in the province. Aside from the water tubing in Alamada, the provincial government had previously opened the Asik-Asik Spring Falls, also known as Paguranan in Sitio Dulao of Barangay Dado at the municipality of Alamada last September 20.

“The barangay now is earning a monthly income of P200,000 a month from the tourists and visitors,” said the lady governor.

“So there is really money in tourism,” said Mendoza, who added that they will next open the hot spring in Bataasan and also developed a vegetable picking in Barangay Sante that is similar of the strawberry in La Trinidad of Baguio City.

The zipline project has a budget of P5,841,442.33 from the share of the province it received from the Energy Development Corporation in Mt. Apo. It has already an environment compliance certificate by the environment management bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 12 issued last December 23.

“This will really attract more tourists in New Israel and Makilala and not only for the mountaineers that will climb Mt. Apo which means more business for the locals also,” Mendoza said.

The construction of the zipline is expected to take at least three months according to contractor Neil Pinongcos of Asolo Cable Industry, which has already made several ziplines in the country since 2005.

Among their past projects include the Great Catigdian Adventure Park in Danao, Bohol, Hoyohoy Highland Adventure at the boundary of Tangub and Ozamiz City, Padang-Padang Adventure in Parang, Maguindanao; Kapatagan in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur; Kiwa Adventure in Midsayap and the on-going Camp D’Leonor Inland Resort in Davao City.

“This year we will also have a project in Malaysia,” said the 38-year old native of Midsayap, who is also into paragliding together with his cousin Jershon.

The Pinongcos represented the country with the support of North Cotabato province in the last year’s annual International Balloon Flying Festival held in Clark, Pampanga.

Pinongcos said that they will be using high-end imported materials and cables for the zipline in New Israel to assure the safety and constant glide slope.

 “Dapat hindi masyadong mabilis din ito para hindi delikado sa sasakay,” he said.

Department of Tourism Region 12 OIC Director Jose Cabulanan, on the other hand, said that their office will also give its share in the construction of the concrete road from the highway going up to New Israel.

“We will also help train the locals on the homestay program,” he said.

Gov. Mendoza, however, said: “but we will still respect and abide on their traditions here like they do not allow drinking (liquor) and smoking.”

The majority of the people living in New Israel are from the religious group Moncado Alpha & Omega World Peace Crusaders Mission Inc. headed by Barangay Captain Lovely Paraiso, who welcomed them yesterday.

Also present were EDC AVP Engr. Alejandro Catacutan, Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan and Vice Gov. Gregorio Ipong.

Makilala can be reached by a bus or van from Davao City for less than three hours for only P150 per passenger. A skylab (single motor) can bring one passenger for only P20 from the highway in Makilala to New Israel. (LITO DELOS REYES)