Landslides prompt closure of South Cotabato waterfalls attraction

LAKE SEBU, South Cotabato – This rustic mountainous town, South Cotabato’s major tourism destination, has closed the Traankini Resort, one of its key tourism attractions, to visitors for safety reasons as landslides hit the area anew.

READ: Landslides destroy road in South Cotabato’s coal mining area

Mayor Antonio Fungan Jr. said that Traangkini Resort remained off limits to visitors as of Wednesday, after landslides hit Sitio T’daan Kini in Barangay Lamhalak anew early Tuesday morning.

The village houses the waterfalls attraction, which is popular among local tourists for swimming and nature tripping.

Fungan urged residents and tourists to avoid the affected area until further notice.

He noted that concerned government agencies were deployed to the area to conduct assessment, monitoring, and clearing operations.

“We ask for everyone’s cooperation and understanding as we continue to prioritize the safety and welfare of all residents and visitors,” he said.

Rolly Doane Aquino, South Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head, said that landslides were first recorded in the area on May 31.

This immediately prompted the Lake Sebu local government unit to close Trankiini Resort to visitors.

The landslides clogged the bridge connecting the village to the town proper. This resulted in the river water overflowing on the road and the nearby residential area, Aquino said.

He noted that heavy rainfall triggered the landslides.

Traankini Resort is a popular swimming destination for its cold, crystal-clear waters and short waterfall drops. It is easily accessible by vehicles at a short distance from the town proper.

 Aside from Traankini Falls, this town is famous for the Seven Waterfalls, which are farther from the poblacion but easily accessible by the cemented road.

Lake Sebu is also famous for its 354-hectare lake, where the town got its name. The town also hosts Lake Lahit and Lake Seloton.

The town is a major producer of tilapia grown on the three lakes.

READ: Lake Sebu: South Cotabato’s crown jewel

Populated mainly by the ethnic Tboli Indigenous Peoples, Lake Sebu town is also famous for its traditional handwoven Tnalak cloth.

Owing to those attractions and traditions, Lake Sebu is considered the eco- and cultural-tourism destination in South Cotabato./coa