Inquirer·Philippines·

Riding Pulangi’s wild rapids in Bukidnon

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Mel N. Velez

KIBAWE, Bukidnon — For decades, outdoor water adventure seekers chasing the ultimate river rush in Mindanao have often looked north toward Cagayan de Oro City, long celebrated as the country’s undisputed “whitewater rafting capital.”

But down in the southern reaches of Bukidnon—a landlocked province known for its cool mountain breeze and vast agricultural plantations—a new player is now giving Cagayan de Oro a run for its money.

Carving a fresh, untamed path outside traditional tourism circuits, Kibawe, a rustic farming town nestled in the southern tip of Bukidnon, has rolled out its first whitewater rafting attraction along the majestic Pulangi River—the province’s longest and most formidable waterway, stretching 320 kilometers from Impasugong town to Carmen town in Cotabato province, where it joins the Rio Grande de Mindanao.

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What began as a vision among local leaders to showcase the town’s hidden ecological gems has now transformed into a full-fledged ecoadventure, drawing adrenaline junkies and nature enthusiasts eager to test the waters outside the mainstream.

Potential

Marijuradel Agbalog, focal person for the Kibawe Tourism Office (KTO), told the Inquirer that local officials have long recognized the immense potential of the Pulangi River for ecotourism adventures but only recently turned that vision into action.

“We’re getting a lot of inquiries from tourists wanting to try our new water adventure,” she said.

By launching the tourism project, she said, local officials hope to replicate the success of renowned river adventures in Mindanao, including Cagayan de Oro, while offering a distinct, raw landscape unique to their locality.

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To ensure strict safety protocols and professional standards, the local government tapped a well-known outdoor adventure operator in the area.

Kibawe Mayor Reynaldo Ang Rabanes, who braved and tested the turbulent rapids during a much-awaited dry run last month, signed a one-year operations partnership with Kagay Outdoors, a Department of Tourism-accredited tour operator based in Cagayan de Oro.

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READ: Embracing the rapids of Cagayan de Oro’s Whitewater Rafting

Wonder, thrill

Spanning a two-hour navigation course, the ecotourism circuit takes paddlers on an unforgettable, heart-pounding journey, starting at the entry point in Sitio Kikipot, Barangay Talahiron, and ending in Barangay Tumaras.

Navigating the Pulangi River on inflatable boats delivers an exhilarating mix of fast-flowing rapids and tranquil, glass-like stretches. But the experience is as much about visual wonder as it is about physical thrill.

As the rafts cut through the current, participants enjoy dramatic views of natural rock formations, untouched greenery and two cascading waterfalls along the riverbanks.

Balancing high-octane thrills with local hospitality, the adventure incorporates leisure stops before wrapping up with a traditional, community-style boodle lunch for participants at the end of the course.

Now fully open to the public, the river rafting adventure costs P1,300 per person, which includes food and round-trip transportation to the site, located some 15 km from the town center.

Only individuals aged 10 and above are allowed to join the adventure, which is available from Friday to Sunday through prior bookings, according to the KTO. Inquiries may be made through kibawetourismoffice@gmail.com or at 0963-9827028.

Rabanes said the rollout of the river rafting adventure is more than just a sports tourism milestone; it is also a potential economic catalyst for the town.

Other ‘treasures’

He expressed optimism that the whitewater rafting attraction will serve as a banner tourism draw for Kibawe, pulling travelers deeper into southern Bukidnon and unlocking new opportunities for local employment and ecotourism investments.

Beyond the river, officials are positioning the initiative as a gateway to Kibawe’s broader treasures.

GETTING SET A heavy-duty inflatable raft designed to withstand strong currents and rocky channels awaits tourists preparing for a ride along the Pulangi River in Kibawe, Bukidnon.

Visitors can extend their itineraries to explore local destinations, such as Miabo Cave, the refreshing natural pool in New Kidapawan and the municipal boardwalk, while taking home a taste of the town’s thriving agricultural products—from organic cacao and coconut vinegar to fresh tilapia.

Rabanes urged tourists to experience the town’s roaring rapids and rich natural backdrop to help boost the local economy and develop its tourism industry.

He noted that the local government rolled out the whitewater rafting adventure in anticipation of next year’s opening of Bukidnon Domestic Airport in the neighboring town of Don Carlos, which is expected to bring more travelers to the province.

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“This positions Kibawe as a ‘reliable’ tourist spot conveniently located just a short distance from the soon-to-be-opened airport,” Rabanes said. /das

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