South Cotabato allots P5M more for development of eco-tourism sites in Lake Sebu

Here's some good news courtesy of http://magazine.southcotabato.org/

The provincial government of South Cotabato is investing an additional P5 million for the development of the emerging eco-tourism and adventure sites in the lakeside resort town of Lake Sebu.

Cesar Sulit Jr., South Cotabato tourism officer, said over the weekend that the additional funds would be utilized to fast track the ongoing implementation of the Seven Falls Development Project, a local government-led tourism initiative that promotes the development of Lake Sebu’s famed seven waterfalls.

“We will continue with the infrastructure buildup, improve the site’s operations and develop other potential attractions within the seven waterfalls,” he told.

Sulit said the project’s allocation was endorsed earlier this month by the Provincial Development Council as part of the local government’s annual investment plan for 2011.

He said South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr., who earlier adopted the project as among his administration’s priorities in terms of tourism development, had set additional funding through the provincial government’s proposed 2011 budget.

The management of the Seven Falls Development Project, which was launched more than two years ago with an initial funding of some P20 million from the provincial government, was transferred earlier this month from the supervision of the Provincial Environmental Management Office to the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO).

The provincial government launched anew the project led by Gov. Pingoy and other local officials.
Sulit, who also heads the PPDO’s Arts, Culture, Tourism and Sports Unit, said they earlier launched a study to identify various strategies that would help enhance the ongoing development and operations of the project.
He said that among their initial plans was to introduce trekking and wildlife tours as complement to the popular ziplines installed in three of the area’s seven waterfalls.

Sulit said they will develop the trails from waterfalls 1 to 7 to encourage trekking activities, which would be mainly marketed among students and hiking enthusiasts.

He said they would train some local residents to serve as tour guides for the trekking and the wildlife tours.
To improve the operations of the ziplines, Sulit said they would acquire additional equipment to accommodate their growing number of clients, especially during weekends and holidays.

The ziplines connect waterfalls 1 and 5 as well as waterfalls 2 and 5 and features a thrilling drop of about 740 and 400 meters, respectively.

Sulit said the twin ziplines, which accommodates at least 50 persons daily, posts an average daily income of P12,500 but such figure usually doubles during weekends and holidays.

“Right now, only the zipline and the entrance fees were generating revenues for the project. We want to further improve its capacity to draw more income by introducing more adventure packages and opening accommodation facilities,” Sulit said.

Sulit said they plan to construct additional sheds, cottages, conference halls and accommodation facilities to accommodate long-staying visitors as well as host seminars and conferences at the site.

He also said that they would hire additional personnel to further improve the operations of the project’s management unit.(PNA)

Lake Sebu gets featured in ABS-CBN's Sports Unlimited

Lake Sebu is really getting a piece of fame nowadays. Well, it should be. The place is meant to be shared, appreciated, enjoyed and cared for. This October 2010, Sports Unlimited showcases this "Summer Capital of Southern Philippines" and experience themselves the thrill and magnificence Lake Sebu has, of course, the sports unlimited way!

Above pictures show hosts Dyan Castillejo and Marc Nelson as they interact with the T'boli women of Lake Sebu.

The team zipped themselves all the way from the Seven Falls. After this segment airs, I'm very much sure, tourists and sports lovers alike will pack their bags and head south of the Philippines.

Watch the episode below:

credit: Photos from http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/current-affairs-programs/09/20/10/sport-unlimited-lake-sebu-zipline-adventures

  

Lake Sebu Article in Travelife Magazine

Check out Travelife's August - September 2010 issue that showcases an article about Lake Sebu. Entitled Lake Sebu: Left in Time, travel writer Gabby Malvar shares his Lake Sebu escapade and how  he seems to be frozen back in time.

Travelife Magazine is the Philippine's leading travel and lifestyle publication.

Get this latest issue now!

Top 10 Must-See Sights in Lake Sebu

Any person who've travelled to Lake Sebu would surely say that there's so much more this serene lake attraction can offer - with still hundreds of undiscovered and unexplored places that are worth mentioning. While some of it is either still not offered to the general public, some are simply difficult to reach. In the meantime, I will share some of the must see-places in Lake Sebu a traveller shouldn't miss.

1. Falls 2 of Seven Falls

Falls 2 of Seven Falls (image from allan barredo)

Punta Isla Resort

Taking their motto "Where life blends with nature" by heart, Punta Isla Resort plays a major lead towards promoting Lake Sebu as a South Cotabato's prime eco-tourism destination. It has been hosts to several local TV travel shows in the Philippines such as Living Asia Channel and Rated K to name a few.

Punta Isla Resort Entrance

Lake Sebu Profile

Municipality of Lake Sebu

Province of South Cotabato

1.         Lake Sebu was declared a municipality on November 11, 1982.  A plebiscite was held on October 15, 1983, one year after the passage of BP 249, an act creating Lake Sebu into a new municipality of South Cotabato.

Lake Sebu Municipal Hall

Lake Sebu on the Cover of Gensan Gazer

General Santos City's First Lifestyle, Trades and Travel Magazine GENSAN GAZER puts the spotlight on Mindano's premier summer capital Lake Sebu. Check out this ezine issue for April-May 2010 cover entitled Lake Sebu: A Breath of Even Fresher Air (and other amazing destinations) for free at http://gensangazer.com/gg_apr2010.html.

This issue also has the exclusive on the coming of General Santos favorite son, Gerald Anderson on his birthday. Of course, present on this very important day is Kim Chu. I discovered thru facebook of a fellow acquaintance that the couple also made a side trip at Lake Sebu and tried the zipline ride.

Again, you can read the article at http://gensangazer.com/gg_apr2010.html

Fluvial 2010 Photos

Celebrated on June 24, 2010 is Lake Sebu's St. John the Baptist Patronal Fiesta. Right after the mass, this small town gathered its community to witness and participate in the day's highlight - the Fluvial Parade. Here are some photos taken during the morning of the said festivity.

Lake Sebu Church decorated with colorful banderitas