DPWH – ARMM builds roads to tourism sites in the region
Pualas, Lanao del Sur
Pualas, Lanao del Sur -- Aiming to boost tourism development in various tourist sites in the ARMM region, the Hataman Administration in convergence with the Department of Public Works and Highways-ARMM are now building road projects for development of access roads leading to tourism sites and attractions in the region.
One of the most promising tourism sites is in Pualas, Lanao del Sur, Dapao Lake National Park located at the southwest of Lake Lanao. It is one of the deepest lakes in the country, reaching a maximum depth of 120 metres. The Lake is known to have the best quality of water because of its natural coldness and clearness even during rainy season. It is endowed with various species of fishes such as Bongcaong, Tilapia (carpa), mudfish and other fresh water fishes as well as shrimps.
ARMM-DPWH Sec Don Mustapha Loong said unfortunately, this hidden beauty is rarely visited nor seen due to the absence of access roads and mountains that block access to the other side. At present, residents need to take the motorized boats to get to their isolated communities around the Lake Dapao.
Lanao del Sur II District Engineer Abib Arumpak said that the three (3) klms concreting of Dapao Circumferential Road at Purog-Tanauan section worth P54 Million will be implemented by administration while the other two (2) klms in phase II worth P36 Million will be implemented by the Local Government Unit under a memorandum of Agreement.
The road project will traverse five (5) Barangays in Pualas Municipality; Purog, Bubonga Ranaw, Dapao, Imbang and Yaran the homeplace of House Deputy Speaker Congressman Pangalian M. Balindong.
The budget allocation for this road to tourism projects is P 90 Million, part of the DPWH-ARMM regular infrastructure budget for 2015.
Sec Loong said he was not surprise why the richest person in the world lives infront of the lake in Washington State. “Bill Gates must have loved the view of the lake. Surely, if Bill Gates sees Lake Dapao with its pristine and almost potable water, he would surely wish to build a rest house here,” he said.
With this initiative, there are many foreign investors from Australia, Japan, China and other countries who already expressed interest to invest in relaxing vacation cottages overlooking the lake will be more enticed. This tourism haven is just an hour from Marawi City and just as accessible from Pagadian City and Cotabato City. Ed General
