Road projects shorten trip to Abra's adventure areas

ACCESSIBLE. The province of Abra can now be reached in just five to six hours from the previous eight-hour trip with the opening of the Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union Expressway Rosario exit. Photo shows the Kaparkan falls, one of the tourist destinations in the province. (PNA file photo) 

By Liza Agoot 

BANGUED, Abra -- A road trip to this province has been shortened by two to three hours, making accessibility easier to experience extreme adventures in the area.
    Gov. Maria Jocelyn Bernos, during the "Laging Handa" network briefing on Nov. 23 said completion of TPLEx (Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union expressway), "mga 5 to 6 hours na lang (it is now around 5 to 6 hours)" from the previous eight hours trip.
    The official said numerous road projects of the national government like the one that reached La Union was beneficial to people and local government units located far from Metro Manila.
    While the province still has to work on opening up its borders to tourists, she said they allow residents to visit their tourist attractions.
    "In a way, we offer the hospitality but at this moment, di pa open (it is not yet open) for outside residents ang (the) tourist spots, only for residents. Hopefully by January mag o-open na kami para maging ready naman ang (we can open by January so that we can prepare first our) tourist spots for those coming from different parts," Bernos said.
    She said most of their tourist destinations and attractions are "given by God designed to become a tourist spot".
    She mentioned the Kaparkan Falls which is like levels of waterfalls dropping on rock formations, as well as the several camping sites, caves, hiking, and trekking trails found in the different municipalities.
    "'Pag adventurous ka na tao, extreme adventure, swak ka dito sa Abra, maraming nagte-trek dito (if you are an adventurous person, extreme adventure, Abra is perfect for you)," she said.
    "Hopefully after the pandemic, unti-unti natin ibabalik ang mga pwedeng pasyalan (we will slowly bring back the tourist destinations)," she added.
    Bernos said that aside from March for their month-long "Kawayan (bamboo)" festival, the rainy season is also a tourism season for the province with their water attractions as a favorite.
    "Pre pandemic, maraming pumupunta dito, pinupuntahan ang Abrenian kawayan. Rainy season pumupunta kasi adventure, trail, extreme, outdoor activity (there were many visitors before the pandemic who come for the Abrenian Kawayan. They also come during the rainy season for adventure, trail, extreme, outdoor activities)," she added.
    The governor is hopeful that they can open the border soon for jobs to also resume. -- PNA