Panas Waterfall gets support from UP-Min, DOT-XI

DAVAO DEL NORTE, February 11 (PIA) - - Panas Waterfall in the municipality of New Corella gets a facelift to boost its potential as a tourism destination in Mindanao.

With the help of the University of the Philippines (UP) - Mindanao and the Department of Tourism (DOT) through Destination Mindanao, Panas Waterfall will be developed into a Panas Eco Cultural Park.

Mayor Nestor Alcoran said that after 47 years of being a municipality, it is just today that they introduce bigger yet fitting development to their natural resources, specifically the Panas waterfall.

“In the past, only adventurous people visited the waterfall because of the problem with accessibility,” Alcoran reminisced.

“But with the realization of this project hopefully next year, we can accommodate more tourists since the roads have been concreted, and electricity, potable water and new amenities like accommodation facilities will be in place.”

Mayor Alcoran revealed that the municipal government already acquired a loan of P 5-million for the development of the eco cultural park.
June Jamero, project officer of Destination Mindanao, explained that as a result of an extensive planning workshop with the Municipal Tourism Development Council, the park will embrace the nature and culture of the area.

“The park will bring out the best of the natural resources in the area and the culture of the indigenous people (IP),” Jamero said.
He disclosed that the tribes of Dibabawon and Mangoangan were vital in the establishment of the park.

“Most of the amenities in the eco cultural park are inspired by the culture and traditions of the tribes,” he said.

He added that the IPs will also assist in manning the park as they will tell to the visitors the stories of the mountain ranges in the area as well as the lifestyle of their tribes.

Among the amenities that will be established in the park are zipline, kiddy and infinity pools, tree house, duplex accommodation houses, ampitheater, botanical garden, health and wellness spa, weaving center and IP museum and library.

Joel Quinanahan, tourism officer of New Corella, also bared that the eco cultural park will surely increase the income of the municipal government and the people surrounding the site.

Quinanahan said that for the past three years, the collection of the Panas Waterfalls is averaging only P150,000 to P180,000 annually.
He said that the collection was based on previous ordinance, which charged only P10 for each person.

“Starting January of this year, a new ordinance took effect increasing the fee to P 20 per person,” he said. (PIA 11, Michael Uy)