By Teng L. Datu Cotabato City Bureau Chief Cotabato City — The Department of Tourism in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao expects more tourists visiting the region this year. Secretary Ayesha Vanessa Hajar Dilangalen said various regional events scheduled in the coming months will have active participation from domestic and foreign visitors. Among the major festivities this year are the Inaul Festival in Maguindanao in February, which will include an international airsoft competition where foreign groups are invited; Kariyala Festival in Wao, Lanao del Sur also in February; and Bud Bongao Day in Tawi-Tawi in March. Secretary Dilangalen noted the opening of Buluan Boulevard in Maguindanao, which will feature an exquisite display of lights in addition to a river cruise, as well as activities under the One Mindanao tourism campaign, are also expected to lure visitors from other regions. Based on the latest available Armm tourism data, Lanao del Sur was the top tourist destination in 2016 with close to 70,000 visitor arrivals. This number produced roughly P1.2 billion in tourism receipts. The 2017 data for Lanao del Sur, however, is expected to slide down due to the Marawi crisis that started last May. (with reports from bpi armm)