Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge pushed

THE regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT)-Davao Region revealed Tuesday, February 7, that the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge will push through this summer.

DOT Davao regional director Roberto Alabado III told reporters during Tuesday’s Davao Business Forum at DermPath, SM City Davao, that the event will be part of the three eco-sporting and adventure activities lined up for the annual Visit Davao Fun Sale (VDFS) set on April 16 to May 31, 2017. The other two activities are skim-boarding competition in Mati, Davao Oriental and triathlon in Samal, Davao del Norte.

In 2016, organizers cancelled the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge following the forest fire that wreaked havoc on a certain part of the country’s highest peak.

“We will request for a special permit from the Mt. Apo Natural Park Protected Area Management Board,” Alabado said, adding that only a portion of the mountain will be used solely for the event as it is still undergoing rehabilitation. The rest will be blocked from tourists.

In triathlon, Alabado said that from Davao City, athletes will swim to the Island Garden City of Samal where the rest of the competition will happen.

“The cross-channel part of the triathlon will be the first in the country,” Alabado said.

Alabado added that among other activities of VDFS this year are city-wide mall sales, promos, discounted eco-tours, interesting packages of hotels and accommodations, dining, adventure, shopping, and recreational activities.

VDFS is an annual event headed by the DOT-Davao Region along with the VDFS Executive Committee, Davao City Tourism Operations Office, Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Develpoment and the private and public tourism sectors of Davao City. (ABS)