Bobby Alaman/ Goldah Grace Sultan - MUCEP
November 4, 2025 3:10 P.M.
40
4th IConBaCC Delegates, Speakers and Organizers Experience Mt. Malindang Cross Border Tourism's Malindang Day Tour
On September 27, 2025, delegates, speakers, and organizers of the recently concluded two-day 4th International Conference on Biodiversity and Climate Change (IConBaCC) joined the Malindang Day Tour Package organized by the Mt. Malindang Cross-Border Tourism Federation (MMCBT). The tour highlighted the rich natural attractions surrounding the Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park (MMRNP), which are located in the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Occidental, and Zamboanga del Norte. Among the sites visited were Mabanag Spring Resort in Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur; Paglinawan Organic Eco Farm in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur; Piduan Falls in Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental; and several scenic destinations in Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte, including Gantaw Hills, Gabon by Villa Pablea, La Presa Strawberry Farm, Nikka’s Ridge, and the Viewpoint at Tinindugan.
The first stop was Mabanag Spring Resort, where participants had a brief tour of the area that receives water from the Salug Watershed, whose headwater originates from the Piduan Waterfalls of MMRNP. The resort is known for its abundance of over ten cold springs. Participants also enjoyed their morning snacks here, featuring native kakanin and hot tsokolate.
One of the highlights of the tour was the visit to the majestic Piduan Falls in Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental. Located within the Multiple Use Zone (MUZ) of the MMRNP, the waterfalls provides water to some parts of Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga del Norte. The participants enjoyed sightseeing around the area and experiencing the cool climate brought by its 1,002 meters above sea level elevation.
At Paglinawan Organic Eco Farm, participants joined a guided tour led by Mr. Januarius Paglinawan, Municipal Tourism Officer of Dumingag (top photo). They learned about various organic farming methods, including rice seed preparation (lower left photo) and the processing and production of turmeric-based products. The visit concluded with a delightful farm-to-table meal (lower right photo) prepared from freshly harvested ingredients.
The MMCBT was an unexpected yet meaningful outcome of the project “Research-Based Capacity Building on Science Communication for an Ecologically Adaptive Tourism Management Contingent on Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park, Philippines,” funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). The initiative aimed to integrate science communication and citizen science into tourism management through research-based capacity-building activities, promoting a sustainable, responsible, and ecologically adaptive form of tourism in and around the MMRNP.
One of the notable outputs of this collaboration is the Malindang Day Tour Package, developed by the MMCBT in partnership with its member establishments and Misamis University. The tour goes beyond simple sightseeing—it offers farm visits and short educational spiels that highlight the ecological features of each site and the unique biodiversity of MMRNP.
Participants also explored several tourism sites in Zamboanga del Norte. These included Gabon by Villa Pablea (upper left photo), named after the Bisaya word “gabon” meaning fog, as the area often becomes misty and cool; La Presa Strawberry Farm (upper right photo), where participants enjoyed a farm tour and learned that the color variation of hydrangea flowers depends on soil acidity and alkalinity; Gantaw Hills (lower left photo), named after gantaw—the local term for tree fern, an indicator of microclimate; Nikka’s Ridge (lower center photo), which offers a panoramic view of the northern part of MMRNP; and Viewpoint at Tinindugan (lower right photo), from which the Masapak Falls can be seen.
After two days of research presentations and discussions during the IConBaCC 2025, delegates, speakers, and organizers stepped out of the conference halls to experience Mt. Malindang firsthand through the Malindang Day Tour. The activity allowed them to witness the tangible results of research, partnership, and community collaboration in promoting ecologically adaptive tourism. True to the conference’s theme, “Sustainable Peace with Nature: A Global Commitment Towards Net Zero,” the participants experienced both peace and purpose in nature—seeing for themselves how sustainable tourism practices can harmonize conservation, livelihood, and learning.
Announcement
|
|
|
Videos
|
|
|
