...the emerging tourist destination

Cotabato City: An emerging tourist destination

By Gael Hilotin, Contributor

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom 

A city evaded by most travelers, Cotabato City’s reputation is scarred by bombings, infrequent kidnappings and the infamous Maguindanao massacre, the single deadliest attack for journalists in history. What was once one of the most progressive cities in Mindanao, has declined economically in the past few years. Located at the heart of Maguindanao, but politically independent from the said province, this blemished beauty is slowly making its mark on the map of domestic tourism.

For first timers, the city may seem ordinary, not exactly the type that you will put on your bucket list for a leisurely walk. The bustling city center is clogged by tricycles and jeeps, vendors, and old, forgotten buildings.

A few famed fast food chains have sprouted downtown, but still, nothing beats the Muslim dishes and delicacies sold at barbecue stalls and eateries.

After a heavy breakfast at one of the eateries near Filipino Hotel, we walked further down Sinsuat Avenue stopping by its famous landmark – the Sultan Kudarat monument. This brave man is a Muslim hero who successfully opposed the Spanish colonization, and hindered the Christianization of Mindanao. His monument stands in Pedro Colina Hill which was once his lookout. At the base of the hill, one can find the Kutawato Cave, “kuta” means stone and “wato” is fort. This cave which is said to be the only cave in the Philippines located in the heart of the city used to be a hide-out of the Japanese soldiers during World War II.





The old municipal building in front of Rizal Park is now a mecca for the Philippine Marines, while a new municipal building lies outside the city center which can be reached by an Awang-bound jeep. Along the way, at Governor Guttierez Street, a good stop over is the Barter Trade Center. Although the original concept of barter (exchange of commodities) no longer exists here, it is still worth a visit because of the abundance of bargain goods. Original hand crafted Maranao products, brassware, sarongs, hijab (headscarf worn by Muslim women), tubao (a traditional Muslim headdress consisting of a long scarf wrapped around the head), batiks, malong (a tubular Muslim fabric worn as a skirt of blanket) and inaul (a Maguindanao hand-woven fabric) are sold everywhere.





The Grand Mosque



But the highlight of our trip is the emerging tourist attraction of Cotabato City. The stunning Grand Mosque named after the Sultan of Brunei - Sultan Hadji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid who partially funded this massive structure. The mosque has yellow domes and a couple of minarets, the walls inside are painted in white. This massive mosque can accommodate up to 800 male and 400 female worshippers. It can be reached by a habal-habal (motorcycle) or tricycle from the road fronting the Husky Bus Terminal.

With the rise of the Sultan Hadji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid comes the hope that eventually more and more visitors will visit Cotabato City and finally understand why the city they fear earned the moniker - “The Promise Land”.

(Gael Hilotin is a female solo traveler who is currently traveling non-stop around the Philippines.

...the new PH air infrastructures

DOTC seeks bidders for airport projects

Philstar.com

15 June 2012

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is looking for firms interested in the development of seven provincial airports worth over P300 million.

“The DOTC is inviting prospective bidders to be part of this initiative by joining the open and transparent bidding process for the construction, rehabilitation and/or expansion of seven airports in the Philippines,” the department said in a published notice yesterday.

The first project, it said, is the development of the Butuan airport in Agusan del Sur which has an approved budget of P45.5 million and will involve the expansion of the airport ramp, improvement of vehicle parking area and construction of hollow block fence and drainage system.

The second project is the development of the Cotabato airport in Maguindanao which serves 186,000 passengers each year.

The Cotabato airport development project with an approved cost of P58.1 million will involve the widening of taxiway and runway as well as the construction of a new perimeter fence.

For the development of the Dipolog airport in Zamboanga del Norte which will involve construction of a new passenger terminal building, the DOTC said the project has an approved budget of P55.2 million.

The government also wants to develop the Pagadian airport in Zamboanga del Sur, which serves about 118,000 passengers each year.

The Pagadian airport development project which has an approved budget of P42 million entails the rehabilitation and improvement of passenger terminal building, extension of runway, widening of taxiway, expansion of vehicle parking area and construction of perimeter fence and drainage system.

For the P63.9 million development of the Sanga-Sanga airport in Tawi-Tawi, the DOTC said the work will include putting up new passenger terminal building, expansion of airport ramp and construction of drainage system.

The government is also developing the Maasin airport in southern Leyte so that it can accommodate commercial flights.

The Maasin airport development project with an approved budget of P43.4 million will involve the construction of runway strip and runway subgrade extension.

In order to sustain the development of tourism in Palawan, the government wants to improve the San Vicente airport.

The development of the San Vicente airport which has an approved budget of P62.7 million will entail the construction of passenger terminal, runway extension with slope protection, hill obstruction removal, construction of fire station building and elevated 2,500-gallon water tank.

Interested bidders may obtain the bid documents for each airport development project from the DOTC office in Mandaluyong City or the websites of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System and the DOTC for P50,000 between June 13 to July 5.

A pre-bid conference for all the airport development projects is scheduled on June 22.

The deadline for submission and opening of bids for all the projects is on July 5.

“The DOTC is improving and expanding the passenger and airport traffic handling capacity of seven provincial airports in order to support growth in tourism and business activity in the country,” the department said.

The DOTC added that the projects will further ensure passengers are given a convenient, affordable, reliable, efficient and safe transport.

DOTC Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said the government was keen on improving the airports in San Vicente, Palawan; Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur; Butuan City in Agusan del Norte; Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte;  Sanga-Sanga in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; Cotabato City in North Cotabato;  and Maasin in Southern Leyte.

“The government is committed to improve the airports in these areas where trade and tourism have been in an upswing for the past year,” Roxas said.

“And the government will not stop in implementing these programmed infrastructure projects, through a transparent public bidding, to improve the lives and welfare of the people in the rural areas.”

Roxas expressed belief that the local economy where the airports are situated will further grow.

“These projects will have a multiplier effect as more commercial establishments, factories and industrial plants are expected to be built in these areas, hence the creation of more jobs for rural folks.  It will also result in more consumer spending where these projects are located,” Roxas said. – With Rainier Allan Ronda - By Louella D. Desiderio (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

...the walk

3,000 Pinoys to walk through Manila streets vs child hunger

 

 

05/28/2011

GMANews.tv

At least 3,000 Filipinos are expected to walk through the streets of Metro Manila Sunday to promote global awareness on child hunger and raise funds for child-feeding programs in conflict-hit areas in Mindanao.

The United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) will head the fundraising dubbed “End Hunger: Walk the World," the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said Saturday.

“Proceeds of the event will go directly to the UNWFP’s school feeding activities in the conflict-affected areas in the south. The UN agency has been a key contributor in the Mindanao peace process by addressing the food security needs of vulnerable people in war-torn areas," the OPAPP said.

It noted “End Hunger: Walk the World" is a worldwide event that will occur simultaneously in 24 time zones within 24 hours in 80 different countries.

In Metro Manila, the walk will be held at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City from 5:30 to 10 a.m.

“Registration fees of P250 for walkers and P500 for runners will help ensure that one meal a day is delivered to the school children in Mindanao," the OPAPP said.

‘Bike for peace’

While Sunday’s walk will take place in Metro Manila, a peace campaign called “Bike for Peace 2011" will be held in Cotabato City.

Bringing the statement, “Going the Extra Mile for Peace in Mindanao," the government peace panel dealing with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will gather with 500 bikers and peace advocates to pedal a 36-km route for promoting peace in the region.

By 6:30 a.m., the 36-km bike fest will start at the Cotabato City Hall then pass through the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat, and end near the Municipal Hall of Upi, Maguindanao. — JE, GMA News