DdO’s tourism wellness loop revisited

Being one of the province’s economic drivers that attracts a big number of tourist visits, Davao de Oro’s tourism wellness loop bounces back from the unfavorable changes brought by the pandemic over the past two (2) years.

Recently, the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro through the PAO-Tourism Division headed by Senior Tourism Officer Christine Dompor, visited some of the tourism destinations of the province together with the Provincial Administrator Fatima Montejo. The team conducted a site inspection to assess and measure possible interventions from the provincial government to further intensify the service quality offered by the wellness loop.

The team visited ten (10) tourism facilities on Saturday (August 6, 2022): Bilawa Hot Waterfalls in Brgy. Mainit and Pagkokorowan Gaw Bukanan in Maco, Lake Leonard (Danao) Aqua Eco Park in Brgy. New Leyte, Maco, Tambo Viewdeck+Cafe, Tagbibinta Falls, Maragusan, Maragusan Eco Solid Waste Management Park, Pyalitan Falls, Maragusan, Mt. Patong Sea of Clouds, Angel Farm and Flower Garden, and De Oro Suites in Maragusan.

In Barangay Mainit, Maco, local officials led by Brgy. Captain Michelle Lim welcomed the provincial team led by PA Montejo. It is where the Bilawa Hot Spring is located and is one of the top earning and mostly visited Community-Based Ecotourism destinations with over 200 coop-members. Recently, the province was able to have its 10% share of revenue for its three (3) months of operation amounting to PhP600, 000.

These tourism destinations not only popularized Davao de Oro in the market, but it also served as a gateway for more job opportunities for the locals. Its revamp from the pandemic generated more income-generating revenues and established cooperatives with its local workforce such as farmers, fisherfolks, mountain and boat guides, and caterers.

The team also met with Mayor Angelito J. Cabalquinto of Maragusan, and discussed plans for infrastructure provisions and other necessities in some tourism sites in Maragusan.

Recently, the tourism division of the province in partnership with the provincial health office conducted a Covid-19 vaccination drive to various tourism facilities to further secure its operations amidst the pandemic. (PAO-IPRD DdO, photos by PAO-Tourism)