THE province of Lanao del Sur has posted P1.2 billion in tourism receipts in 2016, attracting 69,606 visitors, being the top tourism destination among the provinces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Lanao del Sur Tourism Provincial Officer Nouraldin Ahmad Tamano said the number of tourist visitors in the province in 2016 was 14 percent higher compared to 2015, which had 61, 058 visitors.
“Part of Lanao del Sur governor’s agenda is cultural tourism and promotion of tourist destinations in the province that can help generate income and livelihood to the locals,” Tamano explained.
He added the province showcases distinct characteristics of the Maranaos way of life, history, and culture.
The province of Lanao del Sur is composed of Marawi, the provincial capital, and 39 towns.
Tamano said one must-see attraction is Lake Lanao, the largest inland body of water in Mindanao and the second largest lake in the Philippines.
Lake Lanao serves as reservoir for the Agus hydroelectric power plants that generates up to 75 percent of Mindanao’s power supply.
Tamano said the arts and crafts of the Maranao tribe, Polo Barakat Mosque in Binidayan, Kilometer Zero, Mindanao State University and Daguduban in Marawi City, Lake Dapao in Pualas and white water rafting in Wao could easily lure tourists to the province. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)