TOURISM

The City of Cotabato is rich in cultural and historical attraction that includes tourist destinations. Part of the tourism program being promoted by the city are religious and colorful events / rich cultural festivals. The city’s fledgling tourism program is treated as an integral part of the economic sector since its growth could create the needed market for manufactured goods and services and at the same time, generate employment opportunities while adding to the city’s revenues and prestige. The Tourism Trade and Industry Division of the City Mayor’s Office is implementing various tourism promotion programs in coordination with the Department of Tourism Regional Office No. XII.
There are various identified tourists spots in the city, namely : Takumi Butai Shrine, Kutawato Cave, Shariff Kabunsuan Marker, Old Capitol Building at PC Hill, City Hall, Immaculate Conception Church at Tamontaka, Rio Grande de Mindanao, Maguindanao Motif, PC Hill and Timako Hill. The latter is inaccessible at present due to the absence of an access road to its location.

There are also various festivals being celebrated in the city like the Araw ng Kutabato every 20th of June, Immaculate Conception Day, the city’s Patronal Fiesta, Immaculate Conception celebrated on December 8, Shariff Kabunsuan Festival every 19th of December and Our Lady of Peñafrancia Fiesta, a replica of the fluvial procession in Naga.

In 1998, the city’s visitor arrival has reached a total of 48,992 divided into two (2) categories, namely: foreign with 1,885 and local with 47,107. These data were based on the visitor arrivals gathered from hotels, tourist inns and other tourism establishments in the city.
 

Table 1
Data on Tourist Arrivals
Cotabato City

YEAR	FOREIGN	DOMESTIC	TOTAL NO. OF VISITOR ARRIVALS
1993	1,945	52,180	54,125
1994	2,009	46,643	48,652
1995	1,861	44,912	46,773
1996	3,288	44,441	47.729
1997	3,109	45,240	48,349
1998	1,885	47,107	48,992

Source: DOT XII

Development Goals and Objectives

Sustained cultural and historical development via a strengthened and improved Tourism Plan and promotion in order to situate the city among the many potential tourist destinations in the part of the region, thus enhancing stable economic growth.

The city’s long term objective of being known as a tourism hub shall be guided by specific objectives for accelerated growth of the tourism industry of the city. These are :

To develop the city’s tourism potentials, promote the preservation of cultural heritage and historical attractions of the City.

Strategies / Policies.
Tourism promotion is covered by some factors affecting its growth. To implement the goals and objectives for tourism, the following strategies and policies shall be implemented :

Targets

Programs / Projects

As part of the City Tourism Plan, the following projects shall be implemented:
1. Development of parks and playground; 2000
2. Development of tourism areas and attractions in natural spots such as the Kutawato Cave, PC Hill View Deck 2002
3. Development of Timako Hill; 2003
4. Construction of good access roads to develop tourist spots; 2003
5. Construction of a city museum which could provide tourist with information about the culture of the city and its historical past: 2000
6. Construction of Tourism Office cum Assistance Center; 2001
7. Conduct of socio-civic religious activities, cultural/ethnic activities and commemoration of historical events; 2001
8. Cable car construction, 2005

 

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Profile
The City Plaza which is located within the heart of the city is the primary recreational site for Cotabatenos. People of all ages flock here to stroll and relax starting late afternoon. During Christmas Season and Araw ng Kutabato celebration when it is decorated with lights and other accessories, people stay up to midnights.

The city has nine recreational facilities, three bowling lanes and five theatres. There are eleven tennis courts, eight basketball courts and five gymnasiums, three of which are located inside school campuses. Also in the city are 3 dart clubs and several billiard halls scattered all over the urban center.

During the Palarong Panglunsod, sports facilities at the state-owned Polytechnic College is being utilized. It consist of 1 oval track and field, 2 diamonds for baseball and soft ball, 2 valley ball courts, 1 foot ball field 22.5 sq.m. swimming pool and one gymnasium. It has a grand stand with a capacity of 10,000 and a bleachers section with a capacity of 1,000people.

For spiritual activities, there are seven Catholic churches, 18 chapels, 24 Mosques, One Iglesia ni Kristo Church, one Seventh Day Adventist Church, one Evangelical Church, one Episcopal Church, one Church of the Latter Day Saints, one House of Jehova’s Witness, one Church of Jesus Christ, United Church of Christ and one Aglipayan Church.

Goals and Objectives

The promotion of the physical well being of the people both the youth and adults by the year 2010.
1. To formulate a comprehensive approach to sports recreational development;
2. To encourage private sector participation in the investment for sports and recreation;
3. To reserve areas for sports development;
4. To promote sports appreciation among the people.

Policies and Strategies

1. Institutionalization of a sports program for Cotabato City
2. Integration of sports activities into the school system;
3. Establishment of a council that will oversee physical fitness and sports development activities;
4. Strengthening recreation opportunities for people of all ages; and
5. Upgrading the quality of our existing recreational facilities.

Targets

Program Component
· Preparation of Comprehensive Sports and Recreation Plan
· Construction / improvement of Sports Facilities
a. Sports Complex and Fitness Gym;
b. Parks and Playground
c. Playing fields and game courts in the barangays
d. Repair and maintenance of existing facilities
e. Promotion of private sector investment in sports development and recreation.
· Institutionalization of Sports Program
a. Creation / strengthening of a Sports Body;
b. Adoption of Comprehensive Sports and Recreation Plan by Sangguniang Panglunsod;
c. Yearly allocation for sports development;
d. Inventory of athletes and referees by specialization (Athletes Pool);
e. Procurement of sports equipment;
f. Development of alternative financing schemes for sports development;
g. Training of athletes.
· Advocacy for Sports Appreciation
a. Conduct of sports clinics;
b. Networking with NSA
c. Inter-barangay sports events;
d. Fun Run;
e. Invitational games.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Flood Control and Drainage

Considering the physiological and topographic features of the area, Cotabato City is considered flood prone. The major causes of flooding may be attributed to the flow of the Rio Grande during heavy rainfalls. This river, however, had not overflowed in the city for the last ten (10) years. The most recent records of flooding by this river was in the 60’s. The river, however, has been flooding the area along its upstream.

The bulk of storm water run-off of the city is carried by the Matampay River and the Esteros Creek. The Matampay River discharges into the northern portion of Rio Grande while the Esteros Creek empties into Illana Bay.

Out of the total land area of 17,599 hectares, 80% of which has a low density for urban development because this is erosion prone and has poor internal drainage but good for external drainage characteristics.

The city is a delta bounded by two big rivers, the Rio Grande de Mindanao and Tamontaka River and crisscrossed by several rivers and its tributaries. It is flood prone due to its topographic limitation, being below sea level. The water levels in the delta are governed by tides from the sea that penetrate into the river. Some low spots in the city experienced flooding during high tide. During rainy season, flooding is more significant due to high river water level and run-off from heavy rainfall.

The frequent cause of flooding in the city is caused by the inadequacy of drainage facilities to convey excess water during heavy rains. This is very noticeable in commercial and residential areas in the city particularly in the low lying ones. The problem is further aggravated by the indiscriminate dumping of solid wastes in natural and man-made channels thus reducing their waste conveyance capacity. The clogging is caused by silts and debris materials in undersized drainpipes CHB box culverts and the uncontrolled growth of unplanned residential areas / slums without proper and sufficient drainage facilities.

The rivers and creeks serve as the natural outlet for the urban drainage system. This rivers and its tributaries show evidence of significant water bodies contamination. To minimize the occurrence of floods, the city government is speeding up its campaign against squatting along esteros, creeks and other waste bodies. Many squatters along river banks shall be relocated in more livable surroundings. Likewise dredging / rip-rapping of the flooded areas where possible is also considered. Covered canals are clogged with debris thus water could not pass and be drained naturally.

In the area of water pollution among urban rivers where the bulk of population come from domestic wastes, there is a need for the development of communal wastewater plants.

Sanitation and Sewerage

There is no existing piped waste water collection system in Cotabato City. About half of the household population have septic tanks for human wastes. Those with toilets but without septic tanks discharge their wastes to pits, ditches and water or practice the “wrap and throw” method.

About 50% of the city’s population live below the poverty level. People in low-income areas may be willing to use communal toilets. The existing technology of flush and pour-flush toilets are used by 50% of the households population and are generally regarded as sanitary facilities.

The Camp Dresser and Mckee was commissioned by World bank to prepare the feasibility study for Cotabato City’s Sanitation, Sewerage and Drainage Project. If the city agrees, World Bank will finance the project through the Land Bank of the Philippines through loan.
The plan as recommended will include the following components :
1. On-site and communal sanitation facilities
2. Sewerage System
3. Maintenance of equipment, tool and spare parts
4. Institutional support
5. Drainage facilities

Under the plan, the sanitation component will include the construction of 2,200 VIP latrines, 734 pour-flush toilets with septic tanks and 33 communal toilets.

The sewerage system will include house connections, feeder sewers for the collection of waste water in neighborhood, trunk sewers and pumping system for waste-water conveyance and sewerage and septic treatment plants.

The sewerage system after construction will be turned over to CCWD for operation, maintenance and construction of additional connections.

The project will include consulting services for detailed design, consultation of beneficiaries and construction supervision.
The drainage component was also included in this project. Details of this sub-sector are discussed under the flood control and drainage section.

Solid Waste Management

Garbage collection and disposal in Cotabato City is now lodged with the office on General Services under the Refuse and Control Division.

Garbage collection and disposal is a major problem that needs a long term solution. Solid waste is generated at approximately less than 70 tons per day, the bulk of which comes from residential, commercial / industrial establishments and institutions. About 55 tons are collected daily while the remaining 15 tons are disposed through burning, recycling. Some are either picked up on the next day or not collected at all.

The city has four (4) dump trucks and three (3) compactor trucks and four (4) mini-compactor trucks used for garbage collection . Each of the large trucks are manned by 1 driver and 5 loaders while the smaller ones are operated by 1 driver and 2 loaders. Collection is done daily with seven (7) collection vehicles operating from 4:00 a.m. Four (4) trucks operate from 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The trucks are assigned to a designated area route which passes through main thoroughfare and some internal routes. Twenty eighth (28) barangays out of the city’s thirty seven (37) are served. To answer the problem on uncollected garbage, the City General Services Office (GSO) has implemented a night shift program and introduced a new scheme on collection and disposal.

The collected garbage are then dumped at the Malagapas dump site. Presently, all wastes are dumped here. However, the Malagapas dump site now in its full capacity thereby posing health and environmental hazard to the nearby residents.

To address this, the City Government, through the created Technical Working Group (TWG) has identified and acquired a 10 hectare property in Biniruan Pob. 9 as the new dumping site.

Off-site facilities leading to that property were constructed such as the construction of bailey bridge and an off-site road. Once these facilities will be completed, on-site facilities will be constructed. Presently, the type of solid waste facility to be established in the area is being studied by a composite team created for the purpose.

Goals and Objectives

Goal: To promote a wholesome environment conducive to economic growth and healthful living

Objectives:
1. To provide solid waste facilities
2. To improve flood control and drainage situation
3. To rehabilitate dilapidated FCD structures
4. To introduce comprehensive solid waste management in the barangay
5. To provide sanitation and sewerage facilities
6. To purchase land for waste-water treatment plant
7. To promote environmental protection and conservation
8. To conduct baseline survey to serve as data bank
9. To institute measure to control air and water pollution
10. To conduct studies and researches of the city’s protected areas and environmentally critical areas
11. To allocate funds for the acquisition/improvement and maintenance of solid waste facilities

Development Policies / Strategies

1. Topographic make-up and other physical and ecological characteristics of the city shall be considered in site location of sanitation and sewerage facilities to withstand the forces of nature and ensure long time utility
2. Alternative financing schemes shall be encouraged
3. Off-site infrastructure requirements of flagship projects shall be provided so as not to delay or compromise prompt implementation of the project
4. Formulate a drainage master plan / lay-out plan
5. Infrastructure planning shall be approached in a comprehensive manner and be guided by adequate baseline information which can readily be provided by a GIS (Geographic Information System)
6. Provide flood control facilities in choke areas affected by flooding
7. Conduct of baseline survey on the City’s protected and environmentally critical areas
8. Implementation of waste conversion projects
9. Solid waste management projects shall be subjected to Initial Environmental examination
10. Environmental infrastructure must be implemented taking into consideration the provisions of the Philippine Agenda 21 – Sustainable Development

Targets

1. Construction / repair and maintenance of flood control and drainage facilities to improve sanitation and prevent overflowing of water and flooding
2. Clearing of waterways of debris and other wastes.
3. Dredging of water ways (6 rivers)
- Rio Grande de Mindanao - Matampay
- Tarbung River - Kakar
- Tamontaka River - Miwaruy

4. Formulation of Environmental Plan
5. Updating of Solid Waste Management Plan
6. Fabrication of Garbage receptacles and Billboards & push carts
7. Advocacy Program and IEC materials
8. Updating of Sanitation and Sewerage Feasibility Study
9. Construction of communal toilet
10. Fabrication / Distribution of Toilet Bowl

Programs / Projects

1. Construction / repair and maintenance of flood control and drainage facilities to improve sanitation and prevent overflowing of water and flooding by 2000 – 2001
2. Clearing of waterways of debris and other waste
3. Dredging of waterways (6 rivers) by 2000 – 2001
· Rio Grande de Mindanao
· Tamontaka River
· Miwaruy River
· Matampay River
· Tarbung River
· Kakar River
4. Dredging of Rio Grande de Mindanao Tukananes Section (sheet piling) by 2000
5. Formulation of Drainage Master Plan by 2002
6. Construction of communal toilet by 2000
7. Fabrication / distribution of toilet bowls by 2000 - 2002
8. Periodic clearing of natural waterways
9. Instill environmental awareness through dissemination of literatures 10. conduct of campaign through Advocacy Programs