South Cotabato bares trade, tourism plans

2006 is turning out to be an event-filled year for South Cotabato as it gears up for numerous activities designed to highlight its unique culinary diversity while bridging those differences in various activities and local government campaigns.

Starting the year early, General Santos City and Sarangani played host to ASEAN tourism officials and travel operators in January, in an effort to spearhead an aggressive tourism campaign.

February celebrations are marked by the unique "Kawayan Festival." In the previous year, the event was marked by the Sayaw Kawayan which showcased the dance genre’s cultural heritage; Pinta Kawayan, an art competition that used the kawayan as the medium; and Luto Kawayan that highlighted the use of kawayan in the kitchen and table setting.

Sports takes center stage in March when South Cotabato plays host to the PBA match between Sta. Lucia and Red Bull.

July celebrates the founding anniversary with the Tinalak Festival, named after the woven cloth popularized by the province’s T’boli tribe, which promises to be a grand celebration for the entire province.

In a speech last January, Gov. Daisy Fuentes revealed their goals for the year 2006.

"This year, the program to develop the mining industry of the T’boli into a tourism route and jewelry-making business will start, with the Department of Science and Technology as a partner. Local products will continue to receive marketing and financial assistance, as well as study tours for entrepreneurs to Cebu, which has a thriving export market," she said.

Plans are also in the works to make South Cotabato the sports capital for Region 12, as well as concentrate on developing it into a budding arts and cultural center, and training and seminar haven.

Already on the way to being the local product leader, South Cotabato exemplifies the best of this region with its big plans and visions for a larger trade and tourism market for 2006.