TUPI, South Cotabato — A vibrant new chapter unfolds in South Cotabato’s tourism and local trade. The bustling fruit vendors of Tupi have officially moved into the newly established Tupi Fruit Park. This purpose-built space promotes order, safety, and a refreshing experience for both vendors and tourists. It is located in Barangay Kablon, along the national highway, with the mighty Mt. Matutum as its backdrop.
The relocation brings long-time street-side fruit sellers off the busy highways and sidewalks into a modern, organized, and tourist-friendly area. Now occupying 54 designated stalls and kiosks, vendors operate in a safer and more structured environment that enhances both business efficiency and visitor comfort.
According to Municipal Mayor Romeo S. Tamayo, the relocation addresses long-standing issues of congestion and safety along the town’s major roads. Concentrating the vendors in a single, accessible, and well-developed site not only ensures smoother traffic flow but also transforms the area into a new attraction for visitors exploring South Cotabato.
“In our new fruit park, we have improved the stalls, provided proper parking spaces, and made the area safer for both tourists and passers-by,” Mayor Tamayo said.
(Sa aton bag-o nga location sang fruit park, mas gipa-nami naton ang ila stalls, may proper parking space na para sa aton mga turista kag mas safe na ini para sa tanan)
The new park offers a more relaxed and scenic setting where visitors can browse, taste, and purchase fresh produce — from pineapples and papayas to bananas and other fruits for which Tupi is known. With improved facilities, wider walkways, and a cleaner layout, the park is expected to attract both local travelers and tourists passing through South Cotabato’s national highway corridor.
Recognized as the Fruit and Flower Basket of South Cotabato, Tupi continues to strengthen its reputation as a key agro-tourism destination in the province. The Provincial Government of South Cotabato, under the leadership of Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr., has extended support to enhance the park’s tourism infrastructure.
“Through the support of Governor Tamayo and the Department of Agriculture, PHP3.5 million will be allocated for the construction of a pasalubong center within the fruit park,” Mayor Tamayo added.
(Sa tulong ni Governor Tamayo, may tulong tayo from the Department of Agriculture para magpatayo ng PHP3.5 million na pasalubong center para sa ating fruit park)
Local authorities emphasized that the relocation is part of a broader effort to modernize Tupi’s market infrastructure and elevate South Cotabato’s tourism landscape.
Beyond providing livelihood continuity for vendors, the initiative also aligns with the province’s goal of creating eco-friendly, visitor-oriented spaces that highlight the richness of its agricultural produce.
With the Tupi Fruit Park now officially open, the municipality envisions a future where fruit trading is not merely a roadside hustle but an organized, sustainable, and community-centered tourism experience — a reflection of South Cotabato’s ongoing commitment to progress, order, and inclusive development.
