Can be harnessed to boost local economy
January 27, 2010, 4:19pm
BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – Just like Palawan in Southern Tagalog, Bohol in Central Visayas, and Boracay in Northern Visayas, Tawi-Tawi is similarly gifted with natural assets and biological wonders that can be harnessed to uplift the economic condition of the people of the province.
This has led concerned local residents here to form themselves into a council which they later named as the Tawi-Tawi Tourism Council.
The council was organized on April 1, 2009 and is a non-profit, non-stock, and a non-government organization (NGO) composed of professionals in the fields of education, business, youth and religious sectors, civic organizations, and the media.
The council is led by a former educator and the first lady of the province, Hadja Juana Maquiso Sahali, who personally committed to assist and facilitate the tourism vision of Tawi-Tawi.
The council, she said, is committed to improve tourism potentials and tourism products through the improvement, preservation, and promotion of the Culture and Arts of the Sama, Badjao, Jama Mapun, and Tausug.
These include the pure and authentic dances, rituals, poetry (Tarasul and Daman), native costumes, songs, and artistic craftsmanship in boat-building, and the traditional knowledge in curving intricate "ukkil" arts, she said.
One of the main tourist attractions in this town is Mount Bongao, the majestic landmark of Bongao Island.
Mt. Bongao is the habitat of endemic species: The bleeding heart pigeons; black woodpeckers; the white Philippine and green cockatoos; “kukam;” eagles; and the hospitable but wild monkeys.
Along the trail going up to the peak are endemic wild orchids and flora, and upon reaching the zenith of Mt. Bongao, one can find the recorded biggest and tallest Molave tree in the country.
On the other hand, the refreshing small subterranean lakes of Tubig Indangan on Simunul Island, and the Cabancaban Cave of Sibutu are caves and natural underground tunnels that have yet to be explored.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/240544/tawitawi-gifted-with-natural-assets
