Visiting Cateel amid Pandemic - Aliwagwag Falls, Hanging bridge
After visiting the town of Lingig in Surigao Del Sur, we headed straight to Cateel in the province Davao Oriental for an hour and a half drive. Town of the famous and the highest waterfalls in the whole Philippines - the Aliwagwag Waterfall. Cateel is a 2nd class municipality located on the east coast part of Davao Oriental. It has a population of 44, 207 people according to the 2020 census.
In 2012, this town was devastated by supertyphoon Pablo which claimed many lives and livelihoods of the people. 2015 when I visited this place for the first time after the typhoon, the wound caused by the storm is still visible.
6 years later, I was again tangled in this City due to work as a community development practitioner. Cateel town is way different from my last visit. Agricultural activities at the present are very abundant producing high-value crops. Modern technologies are adopted by the farmers. I can say that the town was recovered from that tragedy; the housing projects served as a mark of disaster, except for the past tragic memories of the residents.
Harvest season, the ricefields looks like gold, traversed by a piece of machinery to harvest the grain of rice. Deliberately farmers are beginning to adopt the modern machinery; faster, more economical, others say. However, many are also affected by this, the people who relied on labor that their investment to earn is their time, sweat, and hard work. That is the real gold that can be said; to the farmer, reaping grain is like reaping gold.
The Food - of course, food is essential, need to taste the local dishes, one of the famous here in Cateel is the Lechon biik (very young pig) and abundant with kinds of seafood, and other livestock
On the other part of Cateel town, the coastal area is gradually becoming known as beaches are like emerging mushrooms; from underrated beaches to expensive ones. Despite the progress that has taken place in this town, the covid19 pandemic has an undeniable impact, especially on tourism-connected employment.
An example, the Aliwagwag falls Eco Park is still closed for tourists who want to witness its beauty. people who depend on it also lose their livelihood. Not be disappointed, even this Park is closed, you can still witness the beauty of the waterfalls through the sightseeing. Just stand on the front of the Bridge. Unfading beauty, it's fun to watch and listen to the music offered by the rush of water.
In this visit, there isn't that much water falling in the series of 84 falls appearing like the stairways to heaven. Aliwagwag Falls has a height of 340 meters (1,120 ft) and a width of 20 meters (66 ft) with 13 rapids to cross and a river settles at the foot.
If you wish to cross the hanging bridge, just a walking distance from the falls going to barangay Maglahus. This metal bridge was built to connect the barangay to the highway to speed up and facilitate the transportation of local products to the town.
Are you looking for a road trip? One of the best routes in the Davao region.
From Davao De Oro - from Nabunturan town, travel using Compostela - Cateel route - passing Montevista, Compostela then Cateel - 81kms ride
Route option from Davao de Oro - from Nabunturan town, use the Maragusan - Mati City Route; passing the town of Maragusan, Mati City, Tarragona, Manay, Caraga, Baganga and Cateel. - 327 kms ride
From Tagum City - use the Surigao Davao coastal Road or so called the Diosdado Macapagal highway passing the town of Maco, Mabini, Pantukan, Banaybanay, Lupon, San Isidro, Mati City, Tarragona, Manay, Caraga, Baganga and Cateel. - 175kms ride
If you are from Caraga Region,
From Biglig City, cross the Surigao - Davao coastal road to pass the towns of Lingig and Boston town, then Cateel - 99kms ride
