By
Francis Degay
BONTOC, Mountain Province – Construction of
roads to tourist sites in western Mountain Province which would link Ilocos
Region are set to boost and tourism and economic activities in the
province.
A team from the Dept. of Tourism, National
Economic and Development Authority of the Cordillera Administrative Region and
the provincial Dept. of Public Works and Highways inspected and validated seven
road networks that were proposed for funding in 2013 and 2014 by the DOT
through DPWH on Nov. 19-22.
The team was composed of Sylvia Chinayog of
DOT, Jerome Agaloos Sr. of NEDA and Roland Matias of DPWH.
They were assisted by staff of the Provincial
Engineer and Provincial Tourism Office.
This is in consonance with the vision of
President Benigno Aquino and implementation of Republic Act 9593, known as Tourism Act of 2009 to boost
tourism development nationwide.
The tourism roads are under the DOT-DPWH
convergence project of the tourism access program.
These are: Sagada-Besao-Tadian,
Sabangan-Sagada, Mabaay-Abatan-Tadian, Guinzadan-Cagubatan, Bontoc-Mainit,
Bontoc-Maligcong and Dantay-Sagada.
In Cagubatan, Tadian mayor Anthony Wooden
discussed and showed the team some of the tourist destinations such as the
enchanted eel, Gawaan lake, which is about 1.5 ha., Mount Mogao (Mt. Clitoris)
that is believed to have a cave below it and rice terraces.
Besao mayor Wellington Pooten and vice Harry
Baliaga were thankful of the proposed concreting of the Sagada-Besao-Tadian
road because of its great impact on tourism and economic development of the
people of Besao and its nearby municipalities and parts of Ilocos
province.
Mayor EdwardoLatawan of Sagada appreciated
the national government particularly DOT for its continuing support to the
development of the famous tourist town of Sagada.
On the other hand vice mayor Richard Yodong
accompanied the team to the proposed “controversial” Sabanga-Sagada road.
Yodong related to the team the need of more
funds because the proposed road needs bridge construction between barangay
Taccong and the road end to other side near the Balangagan cave.
Mountain Province governor Leonard Mayaen
conveyed his gratitude to the regional directors and secretaries of DOT, NEDA
and DPWH for prioritizing development of
roads to several tourist destinations in Mountain Province.
Mayaen said the development being extended by
the national government will propel economic development in the province
especially that tourism is booming in the rural areas, not only nationwide but
worldwide as well.
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