General Santos City is a highly urbanized city situated in the SOCCSKSARGEN region and geographically part of the South Cotabato province. It is the 15^th most populous city in the country with more than 500, 000 inhabitants according to the 2010 census. It lies at the southern part of the Philippines and is bounded by the municipalities of Sarangani Province.

The city is politically subdivided into twenty-six barangays, they are Apopong, Baluan, Batomelong, Buayan, Bula, Calumpang, City Heights, Dadiangas East, North, South & West, Fatima, Katangawan, Lagao (1sst & 3^rd), Ligaya, Mabuhay, Olympog, San Isidro (Lagao 2^nd), San Jose, Siguel, SInawal, Tambler, TInagacan & Upper Labay.

Barangay Conel stands out among the rest because it has natural attractions that one will certainly fall in love. Conel is derived from ‘K’lanel’ a native B’laan word of Dulaw in Cebuano and Kalawag in Ilonggo. It is an herbaceous plant that belongs to the ginger family that is commonly used as food coloring, herbal medicine et ce tera.

Conel is frequently visited by tourist because it houses the famous ‘Kalaja Karst area’ which was the last frontier of the Japanese soldiers at the end of World War II. It is located 15 kilometers from Barangay Conel. Kalaja Karts got its name from “Kalaha”, a Cebuano term for a frying pot, because of the karsts formation that surrounds it. The karts formation was made millions of years ago and it is the one that sustained waterfalls and caves in the area.

The Kalaja Karts area is one of the most-visited destinations in GenSan where one can explore the unique Kalaja Cave that has a pool inside which is about twenty-two meters wide and three meters deep. At the center of the Kalaja Karts area, one can discover the Bunga spring which has a campsite that is specially built for tourists.

Another tourist attraction that can be found in the area is the Kalaja waterfall. The waterfall is also unique because it has a pool that looks like a large cauldron where one can definitely enjoy swimming. The deepest part of the pool is sixteen feet so tourists should be aware of the danger upon swimming in the area. If you went further, you can see the Amsikong waterfall which is the tallest of the series of cascades.

The caves, waterfalls and springs are just one of the many reasons why Kalaja Karts of Barangay Conel is a top tourist attraction in Gensan. It also offers a wide view of General Santos, Sarangani Bay, some parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani Province. It is a huge natural reserve that adventure-seekers would like. One can enjoy many activities here like climbing, hiking, swimming and many more.

Upon going to Kalaja Karts, Barangay Conel, you will enjoy the serenity and tranquility that the place offers. The Barangay provides tourist tour guides that are well trained. The local government unit of General Santos promotes this eco-tourism destination as a livelihood program for the residents of the barangay where they can become a tour guide for tourists and visitors alike.

It is good to see that LGUs like GenSan are promoting tourist attractions to bring livelihood to their constituents. Through this, the tourism industry in the area continues to flourish while residents gain job and business opportunities. This should also be done to other areas that have tourist attractions which has the capability to be the next top tourist destination.

How to get there

General Santos City is easily accessible through air, there is a flight going to the city everyday through major airlines like PAL Express and Cebu Pacific. Upon reaching the airport, you can take a tricycle or a jeep that directly goes to the city proper and then head to the public market where you can ask a local for the location of the terminal bound to Brgy. Conel.

The travel time is around 20 to 30 minutes going to the barangay. Upon reaching Barangay Conel, you can go to the Barangay Hall then register and request for a tour guide. You may refer here for the location of Barangay Conel: