HISTORY OF MAGPET TOURISM

History of Magpet tourism date back on February 1933 when a group of 23 volunteers composed of a young professional and mountaineers explored trails in the wilderness of Magpet and Mt Apo. During their exploration they identified several points of interests: rainforest lakes and waterfalls. In the same trails the Magpet trails to Mount Apo established as the most leisurely, and the most beautiful and more accessible while witnessing elfin rainforest waterfalls lakes along waters.

By 1994 the climb to Mt Apo via Magpet was promoted nationwide in cooperation with the Department of Tourism of Region XXI. This promotion created such an tremendous impact for region in Magpet, that in one day alone tourist arrival richest 500 persons. Ever since has the Magpet become the favorite of become in the domestic region calling in the awesome adventure.

When visit to Mt Apo was closed to tourist in 1999 by the protected area management (PAMB) resolution aimed for preventing further damaged to Mt Apo Park due to the garbage crisis left by tourist the tourism of Magpet conceptualized an alternative tourism destination called waterfalls adventures by opening and promoting several trails and routes accessing the waterfalls, spring, rivers, lakes and rainforest in Magpet. The PAMB many open Mt Apo National Park soon after 5 years Eco-Tourism Master Plan in Magpet will be established.

This tourist activated elevated Magpet as legitimate tourist destination in the Province of Cotabato and it made Magpet the favorite destination of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines.

It provide by that the closure of Mt Apo for tourist will not and did not affect the tourist activities in Magpet as a matter of facts it open to another potential if better than the Mt Apo trekking trails.

At the moment Magpet hast the best five tourist trails to Mt Apo. Each trails is (1) surrounded by mossy tress and rainforest (2) has abundant of water sources and 930 has (5) spacious campsites along trails and each campsites can accommodate 500 to 1,000 persons.

Another promotion called Rapid River Tubing Adventure” attracted more water sports enthusiasts. Due to arrival of tourist several livelihood opportunities have been created porters association (skylab) Motorcycles operation for transportation and backyard ceramics factories for souvenirs items. This development has confirmed the tourism can create economic activities and general employment opportunities for residence of locality.

There is also a week celebration of cultural activities in Barangay Manobo which has become legend in the town. Thousand of people coming from all over Magpet trek this highest elevated Barangay of town to savor the Manobo tradition of dances, music, native games, colorful costumes trade fairs and other cultural festivities.


A. Eco tourism potential of Magpet

Magpet is the home of natural wonders in the country. The town is located at western foot of Mt. Apo were local and foreign tourist awe in wonders as they behold the spectacle and heist vastness variety of plant and animals species shape and scene of pure natural beauty.

Mt Apo mountain peaks Philippines highest and Asia second highest peaks of 10,311 feet above the level of the sea feet above the sea level.

1. Mt Apo Natural Park – with an area of 72, 112 hectares of unequal 800 plant and trees 272 birds’ species and 53 mammals 146 of the fauna and 27 floral species have economic, cultural and medicinal significance.
2. Abundance of primeval and elfin rainforests.
3. Its towering mountain ranges .
4. Hundred of called springs.
5. Thousand of non rushing creeks, in Valleys, hills and mountains.
6. Caves protected by big boulders and tall trees.
7. Exciting mountaineering and trekking paths.
8. The cultural richest heritage of the manobo and bagobo tribes.
9. Numerous camping ground around rivers lakes and waterfalls

B. Advantages of Eco tourism

Magpet enjoying the reputation of being the most peaceful and friendly town of Cotabato. No record of kidnapping nor encounter with dissident of Muslims secession list ever recorded. So peace and order situation in Magpet is ideal.

The natural wonders the peace and order and other features that have long reveled in Magpet are compiling reason why the Eco- tourism project must be re-directed sustain strengthen and expanded in order.

1. To generate greater employment opportunities for population
2. Increase in individual income of each resident.
3. Increase in Municipal revenue
4. Generate foreign exchange earning
5. Increase in economic activities of the town.
6. Conserve the legacy of tribal costumes crops music, drama and customs, ceremonies, and traditional lifestyle.
7. Attract final assistance for the maintenance of cultural facilities
8. Empower and mobilized its communities to conserve and sustain to magnificent environs.
9. Help and accelerate the construction of more all weathers mountain road and.
10. Help accelerate the opening of the much needed farm to market roads.