Kidapawan City- The Kidapawan – Magpet – Makilala Eco Tourism Triangle recently lifted the closure of the KMM Trails leading to Mt. Apo .

In a resolution passed by the KMM, the Mt. Apo trails in their areas of responsibility will be opened for climbing effective May 1, 2010 after the more than 72,000 hectare Natural Park was closed for the public in the onset of the El Niño Phenomenon.

City Mayor Rodolfo Gantunagco was one of the signatories of the said Resolution. Also affixing their signatures were Magpet Mayor Efren Piñol Sr, and Makilala Mayor Onofre Respicio.

The Mt. Apo KMM trails were closed temporarily starting on March 23, 2010 after the KMM unanimously decided to protect the Park form possible forest fires that may be brought about by the dry spell. It was noted that forest fires can crate more damage as compared to conventional fires since these can burn more areas of the said park.

Under the Resolution, the KMM decided to open the said park for climbers now that the rains start to come earlier and has substantially lessened the dryness of the park grounds. With the opening of the trails, the KMM believes in the responsible promotion of eco-tourism that respects local culture and appreciation of natural landscapes without compromising the need to preserve and protect the environment.

Promotion of such responsible eco-tourism activity in Mt. Apo strengthening deeper public awareness of the importance  of the environment to the lives of the people which is ultimately redound to increased public support and accountability towards sustainable preservation, protection and development Mt. Apo Natural park, as stated in the said resolution.

However, the KMM also agreed upon the following conditions in opening the said park. These are: (a) selective and controlled climbing activity shall be observed pending the final evaluation of the over-all conditions of the KMM trails and converging areas of Mt. Apo, (b) organized climbing activity using the KMM trails is temporarily suspended until further notice, and (c) pre-climb orientation on forest fire protection, proper garbage disposal, climbers safety precautions and other environmental protection measures should be maintained, strengthened and strictly enforced to all incoming KMM trail-users.

The KMM likewise will hold talks with LGU’s of Digos and Bansalan in the neighboring Province of Davao del Sur for the strict implementation of the provisions of the said Resoultion since these LGU’s have climbing trails leading to Mt. Apo . The KMM needs the cooperation of the said LGU’s for the coordinated efforts in protecting the said Natural Park .

In relation to the said opening of KMM trails, the City Government of Kidapawan is planning to assemble a team to conduct an evaluation and clean up drive at Mt. Apo to assessed its conditions.

CREDIT: Kidapawan City HomePage, www.kidapawancity.gov.ph

To be eligible, the nominee should be a high school or college student of any educational institution within the province of North Cotabato, ages 16-25. For out of school youth or college graduates, he/she must be a resident of North Cotabato.

The search, however, not only look the part of a figure but someone who epitomized all the good qualities.

It’s easy to enter. Just e-mail a solo picture with the nominee’s complete name, age, name of school and qualities to kidapawanbloggers@gmail.com. E-mail your entry on or before May 31, 2010.

Unlike the traditional search which needed preferred votes from a handful of judges, this one required popular votes from visitors/ readers of Kidapawan Bloggers and via Kidapawan Bloggers Facebook Fan Page.

The top 16 Faces of Kidapawan will be featured here in Kidapawan Bloggers, receive a stylish celebration and get international recognition! Winners are announced on our worldwide Web Site- www.kidapawanbloggers.com

Top 1 will receive 1,000 pesos from Monz Avenue, gift certificates from Chanelle Hair Studio and Spa and Nature Scent and Cellphone Load! Top 2 to Top 5 will receive 200 pesos each and gift certificates from major sponsors. Contest price will increase if we can get more sponsors.

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Kidapawan is blessed with rich soil, abundant human and natural resources and friendly people. Anyone who visits the city will experience and capture its natural gifts and boundless wealth.

The city has always been synonymous with its exotic tropical fruits like durian, mangosteen, bananas, mango, rambutan, lanzones, marang, pomelo and many more.

The abundance of these fruits was illustrated and characterized through visual presentation. Hence, the Timpupo Festival (Fruit Festival) was conceptualized.

The past Timpupo Festivals had always been huge successes since they highlighted the abundance and variety of fruits Kidapawan has to offer. The celebration was festive that numerous people participated in the different series of activities like street dancing competition, fruit float parade, giant fruit competition in paper mache, on-th-spot fruit arrangement, “pinaka” fruit, fruit fair exhibit and fruit galore. Foreign visitors and local tourists savored the exotic fruit that are grown in the city. But this year has become an exception.

Due to fruit shortage, the festival has to be canceled. To the dismay of many who eagerly awaited for it, many plans were altered. Potential tourists arrivals would not be realized. This only show that what started to be a modest attempt to create a festival unique to Kidapawan, the festival had become a league of its own. It has become as famous as the other festivals in some part of the country. One day it will become as important as the Kadayawan Festival of Davao City.

But Kidapawan is much more than just about its fruits. It is equally famous as a gateway to the highest peak in the Philippines- Mt. Apo. Trekkers from all over has always converged in Kidapawan before and after their Mt. Apo expedition.

The countless springs has attract many local tourists. Most say that Kidapawan would lose its magic without its many springs.

Kidapawan also has the best tasting potable water, pleasant climate all year round, wide agricultural lands, rivers, creeks, lakes and forestlands.The abundance of fruits and springs in the city was the reason why the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Kidapawan promulgated an ordinance establishing a brand name of Kidapawan as ” City of Fruits and Highland Springs “.

Additional places which are enticing to visitors are the Hot Spring Resorts and Lake Venado.

Yes, Kidapawan City is indeed an important destination in Region XII. Come, visit, and enjoy the friendly smiles and ever- helpful local folks as you savor the different styles and flavors of Kidapawan.

RICHARD V. DIONGSON