Quirino province OKs 5-year dev’t plan for Governor Rapids

FILE: STUNNING BEAUTY. Limestone rock formations draw tourists to Governor’s Rapids in Maddela, Quirino province. The provincial government has approved a master plan to develop eco-tourism facilities in the area, says Governor Dakila Carlo Cua. (Photo by Villamor Visaya Jr. via PNA)

MADDELA, Quirino — The provincial government here has approved a five-year development plan for the eco-tourism facilities of the Governor’s Rapids, which boasts of sprawling rock formations and crystal-clear waters off Cagayan River in Barrio Bisangal here, Governor Dakila Carlo Cua said.

“The natural come-on to tourists will further be developed aside from its magnificent wall of rock formations, underground and bat cave and cliff-jumping sites so we have to further develop the area,” he told the Philippine News Agency in an interview over the weekend.

The master plan was crafted by experts from the University of the Philippines-Planning and Development Research Foundation Inc. (UP-Planades).

It includes a roadside tree-planting project that will also showcase the scenery leading to the rapids, aside from the eco-tourism facilities.

Featuring crystal-clear waters which earned for the province an award for having one of the “cleanest inland bodies of water in Cagayan Valley”, the Governor’s Rapids is a haven to Dumagats and Agtas who earn a living from hunting and fishing in the area, said Aurea Martinez, provincial supervising tourism officer.

The development plan is part of the improvement of facilities of the wakeboarding complex, capitol sports complex and motocross track and trail, aside from the construction of safari and zoo park and procurement of more whitewater rafting equipment and firing range at Governor’s Rapids, she added.