Landslide hits tourism site in Cotabato town

The entrance leading to the famous Tousuvan Falls was blocked by muds and other debris due to landslide following the heavy downpour on Tuesday afternoon. (WILLIAMOR A. MAGBANUA)

MAGPET, COTABATO – The barangay government of Bongolanon village in the town of Magpet, Cotabato province has ordered the temporary closure of the main entrance leading to the famous Tousuvan Falls at the foot of Mt. Apo, due to a landslide brought by heavy downpour on Tuesday afternoon.

Village chief Suarez Apan said visitors can still visit the 300-meter waterfalls using the road which was traditionally designated only for exit.

READ: Cotabato school abandoned as landslide hits campus

Apan said this could heavily affect mobility to and from the site which is sought after for its cold cascading waters.

Apan added that they are working overtime to clear the affected road of thick mud and other debris.

Portion of the slope measuring at least 15 feet high gave in to heavy rains brought by the intense thunderstorms.

Huge marang tree fell on a nearby house in Barangay Bongolanon. (WILLIAMOR A. MAGBANUA)

Although Apan assured that the site village is still safe to visitors, he clarified that they are not allowing visitors to camp and stay overnight due to unpredictable weather conditions.

Tousuvan Falls is one of the most visited site in the town, attracting an average of 150 people in an ordinary day, climbing to 800 during the weekend.

A fourth of the P25 entrance fee per person goes to the Obo-Manobo tribe.

During Tuesday’s thunderstorm, a 57-year-old resident suffered hypertension as a large marang tree fell on a portion of his house in an evacuation center for families displaced by the 2019 earthquake.

Apan said the elderly is now safe and out of the hospital.