What used to be a one (1)-hour hike to Ulan-Ulan Falls, in Almeria, Biliran can now be reached in a 5 to 10-minute car ride and only 5-minute short trek with the completion of a paved access road by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Citing reports submitted by Region 8 Director Edgar B. Tabacon, DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan said that the 7.5-kilometer access road project started in 2018 and implemented in five (5) phases under multi-year program is finally complete.
The access road project costing ₱246.3 million involves the construction of concrete pavement, drainage and slope protection structures, road widening, and rehabilitation of existing concrete pavement from National Road Junction (NRJ) of Barangay Sabang, Naval, Biliran, traversing Barangay Tamarindo all the way to Barangay Sampao, in the municipality of Almeria, Biliran.
According to the local government of Almeria, the booming tourism industry has helped not just small and medium enterprise owners, but also priority beneficiaries consisting of single parents and students, as well as an estimated number of 5,000 residents from the three (3) Barangays.
“Aside from boosting tourism, the road project also facilitates safer and faster transport of agricultural products such as rice, copra, abaca, root-crops, fruits, and vegetables to the market centers in the progressive town of Naval and to nearby urban areas,” added Secretary Bonoan.
The construction and improvement of access road leading to Ulan-ulan Falls was implemented by DPWH Biliran District Engineering Office (DPWH-BDEO) in convergence with the Department of Tourism (DOT).