Tourists from Capitol

MAITUM, Sarangani (February 14, 2015) - Capitol employees experience the white water tubing in Barangay New La Union during a tourism exposure trip Thursday, February 12. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mutya ng Mindanao bets visit water tubing adventure site

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 9, 2014) – Contestants of the Mutya ng Mindanao pose with participants of the BioChar (biological charcoal) Training conducted by the Bantay Kalikasan-Green Initiative of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation (ALKFI) on September 5 at the water tubing site in Barangay New La Union. The Green Initiative (G.I.) thru the Sulong Tribu component and the tourism program of Sulong Sarangani introduced BioChar Training as G.I. had initially identified the water tubing resort in New La Union and the IP village museum and School of Living Tradition in Lamlifew, Barangay Datal Tampal, Malungon as part of their community-based eco-tourism and livelihood project in Sarangani Province. G.I. considered the New La Union water tubing site as one of their priority areas for marketing and promotions as they rated it number 1 eco-tourism site in Region 12. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

BioChar introduced in Bantay Kalikasan-Green Initiative sites

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 9, 2014) – Engr. Antonio Co (left) of Bantay Kalikasan-Green Initiative of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation (ALKFI) demonstrates how to prepare a home-made biomass gasifier that brings a less expensive and pro-environment energy alternative on September 5 at the water tubing site in Barangay New La Union with participants from New La Union White Water Tubing Adventure and Farmer’s Association and personnel from Maitum tourism and agriculture offices. The Green Initiative (G.I.) thru the Sulong Tribu component and the tourism program of Sulong Sarangani introduced BioChar (biological charcoal) Training as G.I. had initially identified the water tubing resort in New La Union and the IP village museum and School of Living Tradition in Lamlifew, Barangay Datal Tampal, Malungon as part of their community-based eco-tourism and livelihood project in Sarangani Province. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

Bantay Kalikasan-Green Initiative project in Maitum

MAITUM, Sarangani (August 22, 2014) - Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon, Maitum Mayor Pepito Catimbang, Alabel Mayor Corazon Grafilo, Kiamba Mayor Raul Martinez, Glan Mayor Victor James Yap Sr., and Malapatan Mayor Alfonso Singcoy pose with the personnel of Bantay Kalikasan-Green Initiative project of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation at Barangay New La Union Tuesday, August 19, after their meeting for the Sarangani League of Mayors. The Green Initiative has scheduled to visit community-based eco-tourism sites in Sarangani, especially in the indigenous people (IP) communities; hence they are assisted by the Sulong Tribu pillar of the Sulong Sarangani convergence program. The foundation, which is led by Gina Lopez, had identified, among others, the water tubing resort in New La Union, Maitum and the IP village museum and school of living tradition in Lamlifew, Barangay Datal Tampal, Malungon as part of their community-based eco-tourism and livelihood project. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

Gina Lopez tries water tubing adventure

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 6, 2014) - Gina Lopez, an environment advocate, enjoys the clear water of Pangi River in barangay New La Union Saturday, January 4. Lopez challenged the community and the officials to protect, conserve and love the nature’s bounty of the province. While the government continues its part in the development of these priority areas, ABS-CBN Foundation which Lopez heads committed to promote and market the province through national television and The Filipino Channel. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani LGUs partner with ABS-CBN Bantay Kalikasan’s Green Initiative

By CHARITO S. ANSAGAY

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 7, 2014) – “The way for the country to go is through taking care of our environment and its natural resources,” said Regina Paz Lopez, managing director of the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. (ALKFI) during her visit in Sarangani on January 4-5.

Lopez, who is an active advocate of preserving the environment,visited Sarangani after a series of strategic planning workshops on tourism organized by the province.

Lopez handles the Green Initiative of Bantay Kalikasan, which is a joint program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Tourism, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation and ABS-CBN Foundation. Its main objective is to protect
Philippine biodiversity and help uplift the lives of the people.

Recently, Green Initiative has listed Sarangani to be among the focus areas in the country. Sarangani, according to National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), is still in the list of the poorest
provinces during the first quarter of 2012, despite its gift of nature.

Two sites were considered in the province - the village museum in Lamlifew, Datal Tampal in Malungon and river tubing adventure in New La Union in Maitum town.

The Bantay Kalikasan team, accompanied by the officials and tourism officers led by Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon conducted assessments after each tour. Recommendations and suggestions from the community, LGU and Green Initiative came up during the dialogue. These are useful tools to develop the sites and services further.

“This partnership will mostly benefit the people in the communities. We take care of our resources and use it appropriately. This project is not just all about promotions and marketing our place and invite more tourists, but for our people to have sustainable sources of income,” Governor Solon said.

A memorandum of understanding is underway.  The government and ALKFI shall work hand in hand in poverty alleviation by developing eco-tourism sites and livelihood projects that will benefit underprivileged communities.  The province shall mainly develop tourism areas; ALKFI shall facilitate and fund the media exposure and advertising.

Villagers and officials in the barangays and municipalities vowed to support the project and showed enthusiasm in the program.  It was initially agreed that the project will be launched formally in March. (Charito S. Ansagay/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)