ShareThisTAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — Local officials here have launched its newest eco-tourism project, the Tagum River Cruise, to brand this city as the next tourist destination in the Davao Region.
Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario and Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy graced the start of the project, where 15 motor-powered leisure boats took visitors to experience the beauty of nature and the richness of the city’s Muslim culture along the banks of the seven-kilometer Tancu-an River.
“This is our answer to climate change. We want to instill on the people the value of appreciating nature and preserving it,” said Mayor Uy during a brief program before the formal launch at the posh Punong Restaurant in Barangay Bincungan.
The project is the city’s answer to the clamor for locals and visitors of an eco-tourism destination in the province, and it is the city’s attempt at rivaling Bohol’s well-known Loboc River cruise and floating restaurants, according to Mrs. Alma Uy, chairperson of the non-government Tagum City tourism council. She is also the mayor’s wife.
The mayor said the city government spent about P15 million in rehabilitating the river system that traverses the villages of Bincungan, Liboganon, Busaon and Madaum. The riverbanks were planted with mangroves to serve as fish breeding ground and cleared of illegal fishing structures so as not to impede the river flow.
Among the highlights of the two-hour tour are the stopovers, where tourists could buy wares and delicacies sold at a floating market, visit a park inside the mangrove forest and drop by the community Kalagan tribes in Liboganon village where they could experience the community’s rich culture.
The entire trip costs P320 per person.