The P96 million “Convergence and Special Support Program- Construction/Improvement of Access Roads Leading to Declared Tourism Destination- Mulawin-Tala Road Leading to Mt. Natib, Bataan National Park, Orani, Bataan” is now 65 percent completed as of September 15 of this year.
This was revealed recently to the local press by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH Bataan First Engineering District) District Engineer Erlindo “Boying” Flores Jr.
Engr. Flores reported that the 3.332 kilometer-project started in February 2020 and DPWH has a target date to finish it until April 10, 2021 and the project is being constructed by Kairo Konstrak, Inc. and Rocksteel Construction and Development Corporation.
Recently, Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman’s House Bill 7259 that seeks to declare Barangay Tala in the Municipality of Orani in the Province of Bataan as an ecotourism zone was approved at the House of Representatives.
The said village is part of the Bataan National Park, one of the most sought-after destinations in Bataan known for its serene and natural beauty and unique terrain.
“So magandang development itong road projects na ginagawa namin in connection sa panukalang batas ng ating Congresswoman Roman,” D.E. Flores quipped.
The place is also famous because of the presence of several farm resorts and retreat parks such as the Vista Tala, Little Baguio and the 50 hectare Sinagtala Farm Resort and Retreat Park owned by a corporation headed by former Bataan lawmaker, Felicito “Tong” Payumo.
Tala is also known for its coffee beans plantation along the mountain sides mostly Robusta while varieties of Excelea, Barako and Arabica can also be found and harvested here.
“The declaration of Barangay Tala as a local ecotourism zone will definitely enhance its continued tourism viability and could easily be developed into a first-class ecotourism zone if it is equipped with amenities and facilities complementing its full potential as a tourism venue,” Roman said.
Just like any other potential tourism site, she further added, the lack of allied infrastructure and facilities such as hotels, lodges, camps, potable water supply and public transportation hinder the socio-economic and environmental development of the area.
She also said that it is the policy of the State to accord priority status to sustainable, vibrant and profitable tourism development as one of the engines of socio-economic growth and cultural affirmation to generate investment, foreign exchange and employment.
Bataan National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the mountainous interior of Bataan province in the Central Luzon Region. The park straddles the northern half of Bataan Peninsula near its border with Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales.
The park was first established in 1945 under Proclamation No. 24 with an initial area of 31,000 hectares and included portions in Subic, Zambales. The park was reduced in 1987 to its present size of 23,688 hectares (58,530 acres) and is now wholly located in Bataan province. The park encompasses the Bataan towns and cities of Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Balanga, Bagac and Morong.