DPWH to build 677 road projects to boost tourism

Hundreds of road projects – exactly 677 of them – will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) this year to support the country’s tourism industry.

Almost R31 billion was allocated for the construction of 1,688 kilometers of roads leading to various tourist destinations nationwide, said Constante Llanes Jr., director of DPWH Planning Service.

The agency is coordinating with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to prioritize the construction of tourism roads under the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP).

Llanes talked about the road projects needed in tourism areas in a recent national conference of DOT and DPWH held in Manila for its convergence program.

The DPWH official said the tourism roads were divided to 677 projects, which will be implemented in the country’s 16 regions.

Among the road projects that are lined up for this year to boost tourism are the following:

Access roads leading to Mapita Tribal Community, Pangasinan; New Clark City; Callao Caves, Tuguegarao City; Buscalan, Kalinga; Apo Whang Od; Seven Cities in Iloilo; La Paz, Zamboanga City; Dahilayan Adventure Park in Bukidnon; AsikAsik Falls, North Cotabato; and Hinatuan Enchanted River, Surigao del Sur

Circumferential roads in Taal, Batangas; San Jose, Romblon; and Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) in Davao del Norte

And, coastal Roads leading to nature and marine reserves in Pasacao-Balatan in Camarines Sur; Gilutongan and Nalusuan Marine Sanctuary in Cebu; and Canopy Forest in Eastern Samar.