Linut-od is a mountain barangay of Argao known for a profusion of small-scale coal mining operations. Up to now, a good number of coal mines remain active there including one owned by the Coal Mountain Resort’s proprietor… with a massive worker count of 100++.
To quote a local who hitched a ride with us: “This mountain is so full of holes now. As long as there are carbon deposits, people start digging. We won’t be surprised if all the holes start interconnecting and we use them to get from one side to the other.”
How do we get there, dude!
It takes approximately 3 Hrs to get from Cebu City to Linut-od, Argao.
*1-1/2 Hrs: Cebu City to Argao town proper
*1-1/2 Hrs: Argao town proper to Coal Mountain Resort, Linut-od, Argao
That’s a "guesstimation", mind you. Not counting the time you might get lost. MIGHT. We took a private vehicle up there so we definitely went off course. One careless wrong turn at a fork just because of one sloppy question & all is history. You are ERASED from the map. Foh-eva. I’m kidding.
As soon as you get to the Argao town proper, look for San Miguel St. near a Petron gasoline station. Turn right then just go straight3x up the mountains. One can spot Riverstone Castle along the way.
Coal Mountain Resort is popular among the locals as Dr. Stanley Caminero’s rest house. So if they give you blank look when you ask, that’s the alternative. It used to be a private retreat for the doctor’s family but they decided to convert it into a mountain resort & have been promoting it to vacationers ever since.
A. Accommodations:
1. Nipa-Hut/Payag (2)
*P600/day
- can house a family of about 4 people (10 if you’re all standing up)
*1 mattress on the bottom floor & 1 mattress on the makeshift loft… pillows are provided for.
- Rest rooms are shared (public)
- no air-conditioning/electric fans but electricity is also provided for.
- equipped with lights, a television set & a DVD player
2. Cottages/Dens/Rooms (5)
*Good for 4-5: P1,200/day
*Good for about 12: P1,500/day
- beds & pillows, electricity: light, TV set, DVD player & wall fan
- Rest rooms are shared (public)
B. Dining
- They have a restaurant by the mountainside. Recommending hot soup on a chilly, dark night! They even have a small veranda for lazing around or dining by moonlight.