City gov’t to develop Assumption as tourist destination
“I want Barangay Assumption to be one of the tourist attractions in the province of South Cotabato”, City Mayor Eliordo Ogena has vowed to push programs that will turn barangay Assumption into a recognized tourist destination.
The Mayor said that he wishes to push that the said barangay would be one of a kind tourist destination, “a place worth to visit” before the visiting tourist will head to the other parts of the province like Lake Sebu and other in place tourist destinations in the region.
At present, the locals took the initiative and started to develop the two (2) tourist attractions; the “Bong Gumne de Muhon” which means a big house at the boundary and the “Damweng Dmatal” which also means visit the plains. These allurements are owned by two (2) different families which also residents of the said barangay.
On the other hand, as part of recognizing their efforts and creativity, the barangay council had passed a Resolution No. 50 series of 2020, recognizing the initiative of the concerned families in developing the said attractions. The site will be open soon to the public.
During the Mayor’s visit to Barangay Assumption, he barely felt crestfallen discovering the situation of the blaan tribe living as one of the secluded areas of the city where assistance is difficult to deliver. Besides, they no longer owned their entire land after it has been sold to non-blaan people. “However, it is not too late because there is still something that can be done to preserve their culture”, Mayor Ogena said.
As part of conserving their culture, the father of the city is planning to bring forth a program on “Culture and Arts” to help the tribal community in terms of livelihood.
Currently, Mayor Ogena is trying to source out Php100, 000, 000 funds from the national government to work on the project. Meanwhile, the Mayor refused to provide the full details of the matter because it will still remain as a plan until the government receives the aid.
Barangay Assumption where the cultural village is situated was once tagged as the summer capital of the city because of its cold climate. It can also be tagged as Tagaytay of Koronadal because of its hilly and mountainous feature surrounded by the green forest.
Further, the said barangay was previously featured in a television documentary program ‘Motorcycle Diary’ and the city’s most recommended place for cultural emersion. The said place is accessible through a motorcycle and a four-wheel-drive vehicle.