TOP PRIORITY. Mayor Vincent Fernandez of Matanao, Davao del Sur, emphasizes during the town's Cave Festival Week 2022 Wednesday (May 18, 2022) that the Indigenous People living within the town’s tourism destinations are their top priority. The town counts caves and waterfalls as its primary tourism destinations. (PNA photo by Che Palicte)
MATANAO, Davao del Sur – As the local government unit (LGU) here focuses on strengthening its tourism industry, a top official assured Wednesday the indigenous peoples (IPs) living in the tourism destinations are their top priority.
In an interview on the sidelines of the Cave Festival Week 2022 here, Mayor Vincent Fernandez said most of their tourism destinations are situated in the IP communities, the majority of whom are B'laan ethnic group.
Fernandez said they intend to provide more jobs for the IPs and help them improve their livelihood through the town’s tourism industry.
"In the meantime, while the developments are ongoing, I want to ask the IPs for their understanding. I want to give you a peaceful and productive life," Fernandez said.
"I want to promote Matanao not only here but to the world," he added.
To ensure the safety of the IPs and the visitors, the mayor said they will coordinate with the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Indigenous Person Mandatory Representative (IPMR), and the tribal councils to safeguard the environment where the tourist spots are situated.
"Tourism will greatly help them (IPs). It will generate jobs and income for their families," he said.
Meanwhile, Clover Jane Sabornido, Matanao tourism officer said they are currently developing the "community-based ecotourism for the IPs wherein they are trained as community guides.
"They are accredited and trained by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and at the same time they are provided with an allowance from the LGU," she said.
Sabornido noted that a number of tribal members were also trained by the Department of Industry (DTI) for native bag and beads making.
According to Sabornido, the leading tourism destinations in this town are the caves and waterfalls. Local officials have identified more than 20 caves in the town, five of which have been assessed by the DENR.
"We already opened Sub'on cave and tomorrow we will open Asbang Paksol cave," she said. (PNA)
