BONTOC, Mountain Province, Philippines – Gov. Leonard Mayaen called on sports people, tourists, nature lovers and environmentalists to take time and explore Mount Kalawitan in efforts to further promote the province as a tourism hub to help in strengthening the lucrative ecotourism industry not only of the province but also the Cordillera as a whole.

Mount Kalawitan - which borders the towns of Bontoc and Sabangan in Mountain Province and Tinoc in Ifugao – is said to be the fourth highest mountain in the country with its peak measuring 1,713 meters above sea level.

Mount Kalawitan maintains a forested peak, a sanctuary to diverse wild life and also the source of water flowing to the various tributaries of the Chico River which extends up to Kalinga province where the water flowing into it is being used for domestic, irrigation and industrial uses by the people.

Mayaen said exploring Mount Kalawitan would allow oneself to experience the breath-taking scenes at the mountain peak as well as discover various scenic spots along the way which is unknown to many local and foreign tourists.

Old folks said along the route to Mount Kalawitan are various areas of legendary and cultural values.

Some visitors who recently toured Mount Kalawitan claimed that the mountain summit provides a perfect getaway from the weariness of rural life.

According to legend, it was also in Mount Kalawitan where the Igorot god – Lumawig made his landfall before visiting other communities in the Cordilleras.

Mayaen said the provincial government is constructing a log cabin midway through the route to Mount Kalawitan to serve as shelter to travelers or stop-over for those who want to spend the night and enjoy the serenity of the wilderness.