By Christian Cabañas, Anchor, Brigada News FM Trento
A half-hour ride from the town center on a mix of concrete and dirt roads ends at a narrow footpath, where the sound of rushing water takes over the low hum of motorcycles. A short descent through second-growth forest reveals Verano Falls: a tiered ribbon of clear, mountain-cold water pouring into a basin the color of jade.
The scene is familiar to many provinces rich in rain and topography, yet Verano Falls remains largely crowd-free even on weekends. For residents of Barangay Mabuhay, that relative anonymity is a mixed blessing. It protects the site’s serenity while limiting income opportunities in an area where farming and small trade dominate. Local guides now lead visitors on the 15-minute trek, sharing stories about plants used in traditional medicine and pointing out hornbills overhead.
Health in the Highlands
Medical researchers increasingly support what travelers have long felt: immersion in nature can lower stress indicators such as heart rate and cortisol levels. At Verano Falls, the cool mist, constant white noise, and thick canopy create conditions suited for mental decompression. Visitors often stretch out on boulders for quiet breathing exercises; others practice light yoga on the packed-earth bank.
“People come here exhausted from city jobs,” said Barangay Captain Rolando Cuevas. “They leave calmer. Even one afternoon makes a difference.”
Getting There
Commercial flights connect Manila and Cebu to Butuan City (Bancasi Airport) and Davao International Airport. From Butuan, buses run south to Prosperidad in roughly two hours. A tricycle or habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) can be hired at the public terminal for the final 16-kilometer stretch to Mabuhay. Travelers should confirm rates in advance; locals quote about ₱150 per person. The falls are accessible year-round, though the uphill road becomes slippery after heavy rain.
Ease of Travel and Safety
Municipal officers recently installed directional signs and emergency call posts along the approach trail. Cell reception is intermittent, so guides carry two-way radios borrowed from the barangay hall on busy days. There is no entrance fee, but visitors sign a logbook and receive a short briefing on safety and waste protocol.
Community and Employment
Five years ago, Barangay Mabuhay’s tourism committee established a rotation system: households take turns staffing the parking area, maintaining the footpath, and vending coconut juice and roasted root crops. Earnings supplement seasonal farm wages and fund trail repairs. According to municipal data, weekend arrivals now average 60 to 80 people, injecting an estimated ₱25,000 monthly into the barangay economy during peak dry-season months.
Sustainable Practices
Because Verano shares a watershed with nearby farms, water quality monitoring is handled by the provincial environment office. Plastic-use rules are strict: single-use bags are banned, and guides distribute reusable sacks for trash. Cooking is limited to fuel-efficient stoves at a designated picnic zone uphill from the pool to prevent charcoal ash from entering the stream.
Adjacent landowners have been approached about planting native tree species—lauan, bagras, and almaciga—to widen the buffer zone against erosion. “We can host tourists without stripping the forest,” said forester Jessa Montaner, who oversees the project.
Beyond One Waterfall
Verano is part of a circuit that includes Bega Falls in Prosperidad’s neighboring town of Compostela and Camponay Falls in nearby Sibagat. Local tour operators now market two-day packages that link the sites, spreading visitor spending across several barangays and reducing foot-traffic pressure on any single waterfall.
What to Expect
- Terrain: Gentle to moderate; rubber sandals or trail shoes recommended.
- Facilities: Open huts for shade, basic restrooms, no electricity.
- Best months: December to May for clearer water and safer trails.
- Cultural notes: The Manobo heritage of the area is apparent in woven handicrafts sold at the trailhead; proceeds help fund school supplies for children in sitio communities.
The Takeaway
Verano Falls offers more than a photo backdrop. It illustrates how smaller barangays in Mindanao can integrate conservation and livelihood without large capital projects. For travelers, the reward is twofold: immersion in a riverine landscape and participation—however modest—in a local economy testing sustainable tourism on its own terms.
