The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region VI has allocated a total amount of P310.509 Million for the upgrading of roads leading to various tourist sites in the province of Antique.
Works are on-going for the concreting of the existing 11.296-kilometer gravel road from Brgy. San Antonio to Brgy. Flores in Culasi town, Antique leading to Mt. Madia-as, which is known for waterfalls and mountain trekking.
According to the Regional Director Wenceslao M. Leaño, Jr., the project costing P70.0 Million is funded under the FY 2016 General Appropriations Act (GAA) of the Regional Office.
Leaño also said that the Regional Office is also undertaking the upgrading of road from Brgy. Villahermosa to Sition Apong in Brgy. Cabladan in the town of Sibalom, which leads to several tourist destinations such as Sibalom Natural Park, Waterfalls, Rafflesiaspesiosa viewing, gemstones hunting, Lake Pako, Bato Pispis and Mountain trekking.
The project involves concreting of gravel road, two lanes, with the total length of 20.458 kilometers in the amount of P200.0 Million, funded under the FY 2016 GAA of the Regional Office.
Leaño added that implementation of the said projects is under the supervision of DPWH, Antique District Engineering Office (DEO).
Likewise, Antique DEO District Engineer Gerald A. Pacanan said that they are also implementing another tourism road project – the concreting of Sto. Rosario-Malumpati Road in Pandan town, leading to rising Malumpati Health Spring and Tourist Resort and Bugang River.
Pacanan said that a total of P60.509 Million was allocated by the District, P20.0-Million from FY 2015 Regular Infra and P40.509 Million from FY 2016 Regular Infra, which is intended for the concreting of 3.60 kilometers road going to these tourist sites.
More tourists are expected to visit the said tourist destinations in the province of Antique once the road upgrading projects are completed, thus, would enhance the province’s tourism and economic conditions, and improve the lives of the people living in the said areas.