Nueva Ecija lake eyed as eco-park

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija, Philippines- – A dying lake here, which used to be a source of marine products for villagers, will be converted into a P20-million eco-tourism park, an official said yesterday.

The revival of Nabao Lake, which cuts through the villages of Sta. Rita and San Carlos, was the focus of the Paistimika Festival that marked the town’s 167th foundation anniversary.

Mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco said a floating restaurant similar to one in Loboc River in Bohol would be put up in Nabao Lake, as well as an events center, a gazebo and a souvenir shop.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Manila Bayanihan have released an initial P1.2 million for the lake’s improvement. 

The municipal government will allocate a similar amount for the project.

The mayor said the lake used to teem with aquatic life. She lamented that it is now covered with water lilies and informal settlers have set up shanties along its banks.

She said in 2004, she had the informal settlers relocated, only for them to return when the new administration took over the municipal government.

“We want to restore Nabao Lake to its old  beauty and turn it into a recreational area because it’s a paradise in itself,” Congco said.

She said her administration envisions the creation of a Nabao Lake Development Authority, which is similar to the Laguna Lake Development Authority.

Last Friday, Congco and Vice Mayor Ernesto Talens Jr. were joined by Sen. Cynthia Villar in a fluvial parade that culminated in the launch of the Lawa ng Nabao Munting Paraiso project and release of fingerlings into the lake.       

The municipal government is planning to tap Villar’s office to make use of water lilies for the senator’s livelihood project.