BALER, Aurora, Philippines – Some P285 million worth of roads leading to tourist spots here are being eyed for concreting to increase tourist arrivals in the province.
Michael Palispis, provincial tourism officer, said these roads include the P100-million Casiguran highway and the P185-million Dinadiawan (Dipaculao)-Quirino road.
Palispis said the funds for the twin projects would be sourced from the road convergence program of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Tourism.
Last year, at least P1 billion was allocated for the project and P230 million in 2012.
Palispis said the 23-kilometer Casiguran road starts from the town proper to the Casapsapan Beach in northern Aurora. He said the DPWH is set to bid out the project.
The Dinadiawan-Quirino road will open the town of Dipaculao and the Dibutunan Falls to the tourists.
Palispis said Aurora has become one of the provinces with the highest number of tourist arrivals due to its improved road network.
In 2013, the government spent P12 billion for infrastructure projects that linked roads to top tourist destinations and addressed the growing demand of domestic and foreign tourists.
State funding for tourist roads has almost doubled this year from P7.92 billion last year and P1.39 billion in 2011.