Exploring Mindanao

At my age, I am amazed that there are still so many places in the island of my birth, Mindanao, that I have not been to.

Yesterday, I discovered that there is a new highway, although still unfinished, which cuts through the mountains between Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon passing through parts of Lanao del Sur which reduces travel time from Iligan City to Maramag, Bukidnon by about 5 hours.

The Iligan-Talakag Road passes through mountain ranges, some portion of it is carved by the side of the mountain.

There is a point on the road where the elevation is so high that we actually saw clouds below us.

It was a beautiful sight and a wonderful experience seeing Filipinos who live in remote areas in simple existence living in houses made out of “Inak-ak” or thin slabs of wood stripped from a huge lumber just using an ax.

It took my team about 6 hours to travel from Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte to the Central Mindanao University compound where CMU President Jess Derije accommodated us in the University Faculty Hostel.

Due to some security concerns, Brig. Gen. Facundo Palafox, commander of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade of the Philippine Army, organized Army troops headed by a young officer from La Union, Lt. Col. Domingo Dulay Jr. to escort us from Iligan to Talakag.

Today, I will meet with Bukidnon Governor Joe Zubiri to discuss the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program pushed by Sen. Bong Go.

#DiscoveringtheBeautyofMindanao!