Tigayon Hill draws tourists, pilgrims

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Those wishing to look deeper into the history of Kalibo need to trek the Tigayon Hill.

During the Semana Santa, visitors come in large numbers to visit the Tigayon Hill for peace, beauty and serenity.

Tigayon Hill or Bukid Tigayon, the highest elevation in Kalibo, is a 15-minute drive from the capital town where it offers panoramic views of the Aklan River below and provide travelers the opportunity for spiritual enrichment. 

Tigayon Hill remains of interest to this day for its incredible charm and mysterious ambiance to attract visitors. With its 144-step stairway, the hill leads trekkers to shaded rest areas, viewing deck and chapel at the hilltop. 

The hill is the secret sanctuary of Aklanon freedom fighters during the Spanish rule. It is also a perfect venue for serene and quiet nature lovers. 

The newest tourist destination hopes to draw thousands of people year-round – more so during the Semana Santa. There is no entrance fee at Tigayon Hill, but, visitors are urged to observe cleanliness to preserve the tourist site in Kalibo, Aklan. 

Last week, tourism officials inaugurated the Tigayon Hill mini-museum as part of the Tigayon Hill development projects of Department of Tourism and the municipal government of Kalibo.  

The mini-museum houses artifacts such as pottery shards and human bones from the two caves of Tigayon Hill which were excavated by archaeologists from National Museum of the Philippines.

Tourism regional director Helen Catalbas said the agency allocated P2.830-million worth of Bottoms-Up Budgeting (BUB) projects for year 2014 for Phase I in Barangay Tigayon.

Of the amount, P2.3-million was used for the construction of Tigayon Hill mini-museum, stairway and viewing deck and the P530,000 went to the skills training and production of promotional materials.

Catalbas said Tigayon Hill project is the second BUB DoT-funded project in the province of Aklan. 

The first DoT BUB project is the Tourist Rest Area and Souvenir Center in Barangay Poblacion in Makato, Aklan.