5 roads proposed to boost tourism in MP

By Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Five inter municipal and inter-provincial roads are proposed for inclusion in the Department of  Tourism-Department of Public Works and Highways  convergence project under its enhanced tourism access program for 2014.

This,  following major observations and recommendations noted during separate exit conferences of the DOT with Mountain Province Gov. Leonard Mayaen, Tadian mayor Anthony  Wooden, Sr., Sagada mayor Eduardo Latawan, Jr., Sagada vice-mayor Richard Yodong and  DPWH-Mountain Province  officer-in-charge District Engineer Wilbur Likigan.

The proposed roads along the stretch of  Mabaay-Abatan-Tadian, Guinzadan-Cagubatan, Sagada-Besao-Tadian, Bontoc-Mainit, and Bontoc-Maligcong were forwarded by DOT regional director Purificacion Molintas  to DPWH regional  director EdilbertoCarabaccan following validation by personnel from  the DOT, DPWH  and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and  assisted by personnel from the tourism and engineering offices of the Provincial LGU of Mountain Province.

The construction of the proposed Mabaay-Abatan-Tadian Road, an existing provincial road connecting Halsema Highway at Mabaay junction and Sabangan- Tadian-Cervantes Road at Abatan junction shall draw attention to Mount Mogao considered as a tourist spot because of its image of an inverted cone.

The proposed development of the inter-municipal and inter-provincial Guinzadan-Cagubatan route shall feature tourist attractions including the enchanted eel in Cagubatan, Lake Gawaan and  enchanted eel in Banaao, Pandayan rice terraces  and panoramic vista of Mt. Mogao and its environs at the Guinzadan junction.

The existing provincial road access from Guinzadan junction along Mabaay-Abatan-Tadian Road to barangays Cagubatan, Banaao, Lengga, Pandayan  and Kadadaan in Tadian  connects Tadian to Benguet via Balili, Mankayan.

And with the proposed  upgrading of the  Sagada-Besao- Tadian Road which  traverses Sagada, Besao and Tadian and links Mountain Province to Quirino, ltocos Sur shall highlight tourist attractions namely Danum lake, Bomod-ok falls, Besao rice terraces and falls  and vantage point for viewing the historic Tirad Pass.

The development of the  Bontoc-Mainit Road shall  highlight the  tourist-visited Mainit Hot spring. Another tourist attraction in the capital town of Bontoc is the Maligcong rice terraces  reached via the rugged  Bontoc- Maligcong Road.