The City Government of Malaybalay through the City Tourism Office in cooperation with the Department of Tourism Region 10 conducted seminar and workshop on basic mountain course last May 22 to 24, 2018 at the Veranda’s Place, Malaybalay City.

Employees of the tourism office along with 43 mountain tour guides of Mt. Capistrano attended the 3-day seminar to equip and update their knowledge, skills and capabilities aimed at delivering quality service with the influx of tourists.

Day one was more on discussions about the local, national and International protocols and guidelines on mountaineering and tourism (RA 9593). Environmental Awareness for the preservation of the diverse flora and fauna of the city were also presented.

Topics on the Do’s and Don’ts on mountain tour guiding were also tackled focusing on the critical hazards that may occur during the trek.

Day two focused on first aide applications, camp setting, knot tying, proper gear handling, basic signs and signaling and the proper etiquette on mountain tour guiding.

Day three and final day was allocated for map reading, navigation, orienteering and practical application.

Mr. Eric A. Bontuyan, main resource speaker who is an international professional mountain guide, emphasized that there is a sizeable opportunity for us to explore and maximize our capabilities in promoting Mt. Capistrano as a tourist attraction which also entails greater responsibility to preserve it.

Ms. Ma. Reina Olavades-Bontuyan one of the resource speakers and Mr. Cernan Aguiñot an environmental advocate pushed the idea that with this blessing from the Almighty, “Let us preserve it,” under the acronym LNT which means, “Leave No Trace.”

-with report from: June Cesar Catane, CMO-NADA coordinator