BUTUAN CITY - The Caraga Region has already made it into the world's road map for tourist destinations due to its surfing and fishing haven, including its mangrove plantations and caves and fine and white sand beaches on Surigao Island. As this developed, city officials here are now eyeing to introduce another tourist destination that is expected to attract both foreign and local tourists - by developing the scenic "Tagulahi waterfalls" that is some 14 kilometers away from this city. Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) member Jaime M. Cembrano Jr., also chairman of the city's SP Committee on Tourism, is now proposing for an allocation of a P2 million budget for the development of the area.
Cembrano is also strongly proposing to have a good road network going to "Tagulahi water falls," construction of other structures in the area and construct a bridge at Purok 5 in Barangay Antongalon that will connect this city to the said waterfalls. "We have to develop this falls, into two - one for the adult and the other for the children, where everybody can feel the breeze of fresh water from the mountains," said Cembrano. "Tagulahi waterfalls" is located at the foot of Mount Diwata range, connecting the highest Mount Ilong-Ilong in the northeastern part of the region. "I know that when tourists reach this scenic-environment perimeter of Tagulahi water falls, they will appreciate the area," added Cembrano. Aside from developing the falls, Cembrano is also eyeing to develop the Agusan River - the biggest and longest river in Mindanao.
A cruise along the river will reveal so much of this city's history, culture, art and people. As a tribute to the patroness of the Agusan River - Señora Sta. Ana - the Abayan Festival was born which is a daylong celebration of baroto races and fluvial procession along the river, added Cembrano, who also chairs the Committee on Good Government on Human Settlements and Land Use.
