Bontoc eyed paraglide capital of Philippines

By Francis Degay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – This scenic town beside the Chico River is now being eyed as the paragliding capital of the country to lure tourists and boost livelihood of local folks.  

        

Since last week foreign and Filipino paragliders had been flying the skies here fascinating locals while experiencing the view.

Mayor Franklin Odsey told the group who visited him at his office he appreciated their coming adding paragliding could be made a tourism come-on.

Armand Dard, a French paragliding specialist and instructor, extended his thanks for the support of individuals who assisted them while they were in Bontoc.

He told Odsey the starting site at Mt. Chata could be a top landing site, adding it was so far one of the best sites in the Philippines they had ever seen.

Top landing can be done depending on availability of wind to propel the glider to go back to his starting site.

Dard told the mayor some portions of the Chico River bank are good landing sites. He said an area where dirt soil was dumped should be flattened so it will become safe for landing.

The rice paddies of SitioLanao can be utilized for the same purpose after harvest time, he said.

The Eyeb ground of the Mt. Province General Comprehensive High School in this capital town can be an alternative landing site but it’s not safe due to existence of electrical posts and wirings and tall buildings near it.

The presence of high rise houses can create wind turbulence that could cause unsafe landing.      

Buko Raymundo, a Filipino paragliding instructor and air sports specialist, informed the chief executive that there were two existing paragliding sites in the Philippines; Carmona, Cavite and Saranggani in General Santos City.

However, he added, these were not comparable to Bontoc that has the “magic” wind and beautiful sceneries.

While on air in Carmona, he said, one can only see flat lands and sea coast. On the other hand, Saranggani has its seacoast.

Andrew Chinalpan Jr., a paragliding practitioner from Bontoc who resides in Manila, advised Odsey and town council member Constancio Miranda to consider the enactment of an ordinance on rules and regulations on paragliding and other related tourism events such as payment of business permits, environmental fee, porters and packers fees, parking fee and other related fees. 

He suggested establishment of a parking area near the entrance of Mt. Chata to accommodate more vehicles because some paragliders have signified to come.

The paragliders said Mt. Chata should remain as it is and that no structure should be built in the area. They added signs should be set up on protection of flora, cleanliness, prevention of fire and direction of the starting and landing sites.

Odsey urged the pilots to bring along their family members and friends and stay in Bontoc during paragliding sessions and visit other places of interest such as, the Bontoc museum, rice terraces and Mainit hot springs.

Odsey tasked, chair of the tourism committee, to study and make recommendations on matters discussed during the meeting.

He added the municipal government should work closely with the provincial government to develop the tourism industry in the municipality and the province.

Spectators meanwhile said they were amazed to see paragliders hovering over the town the past days, adding they looked like giant eagles looking for their prey.

Businessmen on the other hand, said presence of tourists like paragliders would boost the economy of this capital town.

They added more gliding activities and other tourism related events should be organized here so additional revenue could be created.