Last Jan. 27 to 29 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier, Davao City, the very first Mindanao Tourism Expo was successfully launched as it signaled the readiness of the region to further reopen its doors for international and local travels as stated by Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
HOT AND COLD SPRINGS. Tourists take a dip at the hot and cold springs of the Mt. Balungao Hilltop Adventure in Balungao town in Pangasinan. Tourists may also enjoy the zipline and other activities at the resort. (Photo by Hilda Austria) BALUNGAO, Pangasinan - The green surroundings, zigzag road, and cool environment greet tourists to the extinct volcano-turned resort here - the Mt. Balungao Hilltop Adventure. The mountain-volcano resort showcases the sulfuric water of hot and cold springs that are believed to have healing and calming components, which draw tourists from Pangasinan and its nearby provinces. Balungao Tourism Operations Office chief, Cromwell Oliver Hernandez, said they have already recorded 47,000 tourist arrivals from January to June this year, already exceeding pre-pandemic level. The tourism industry here has already recorded some PHP4.4 million in income in the first half of 2022. Hernandez said most of the tourists were from the provinces of Pangasinan, Tarlac, and