By Franco Regala
CANDELARIA, Zambales -- A P10-billion world-class tourism project will soon rise in this tiny mineral-rich northern part of the province, which would spark another attraction not only for local tourists but as well the international community, authorities said.
Uacon Lake (photo from Choose Philippines)
The project called Uacon Lake Resort Complex Project (ULRCP) will be put up right into Uacon Lake, a scenic laden scape for leisure, pleasure and living, and a potent gateway support to the now famous Potipot Island of Candelaria.
Funded through Private Public Partnership which is a joint venture initiative by the government and its partners -the Chinese state-owned company Shanghai Dredging and Development Corporation and that of the International Retirement Village Corporation or Home Care, a Japan-based subsidiary, the giant project would eventually become a haven to all nature loving tourists especially the environmentalists.
Town Mayor Napoleon Edquid has confirmed the multi-billion peso project, saying that this flagship tourism project under the Duterte administration's build-build program will jump start in September this year.
"We were able to gain the resident's nod after a long, tumultuous dialogues and public hearings regarding the project and importance into their lives in terms of livelihood, income and progress to their community, the town and the country as well" he said.
The project site is a natural lake approximately 1.9 sq. kilometers (190 hectares in area) which is strategically located in the northwest part of Zambales that lies parallel to Gapan-Olongapo -Bugallon Highway link. It is more or less some 100 kilometers away from Olongapo City and the Subic Freeport Zone.
Only about a kilometer away from West Philippine Sea coastline, the site is connected to an all-weather navigable river towards the sea and 10-15 minutes boat ride to Potipot Island. The eastern side portion of the lakeshore is predominantly rural and hectarage of farms abound. Five kilometers away lies the mountain ridge of Zambales where several caves are present and some need to be rediscovered while the mountain goes ready for reforestation.
Lake Uacon is also a fish sanctuary that hosts many sea fishes species and other marine product like sea-weed varieties.
Edquid said the project is envisioned to become a world-class tourist destination and is expected to substantially boost socio-economic growth in the area.
Councilman Bernard Barrera, local Chair of Tourism committee revealed that once the project is completed, the amenities to be offered are first class beach resorts such as; Marina; International Golf and Country Club (36-hole); 1st class hotels; service Apartments; townhouses; world-class retirement homes ; scuba diving facilities; sports fishing (dragon boat competition); specialty restaurants; water sports; convention centers; housing projects for support communities and vital livelihood projects.
"A down-to-earth and real slam-bang showcase for tourism activities," Jimmy Mon, a realtor leader and partner of the Department of Tourism here emphasized.
Uacon Lake (photo from Choose Philippines)
The project called Uacon Lake Resort Complex Project (ULRCP) will be put up right into Uacon Lake, a scenic laden scape for leisure, pleasure and living, and a potent gateway support to the now famous Potipot Island of Candelaria.
Funded through Private Public Partnership which is a joint venture initiative by the government and its partners -the Chinese state-owned company Shanghai Dredging and Development Corporation and that of the International Retirement Village Corporation or Home Care, a Japan-based subsidiary, the giant project would eventually become a haven to all nature loving tourists especially the environmentalists.
Town Mayor Napoleon Edquid has confirmed the multi-billion peso project, saying that this flagship tourism project under the Duterte administration's build-build program will jump start in September this year.
"We were able to gain the resident's nod after a long, tumultuous dialogues and public hearings regarding the project and importance into their lives in terms of livelihood, income and progress to their community, the town and the country as well" he said.
The project site is a natural lake approximately 1.9 sq. kilometers (190 hectares in area) which is strategically located in the northwest part of Zambales that lies parallel to Gapan-Olongapo -Bugallon Highway link. It is more or less some 100 kilometers away from Olongapo City and the Subic Freeport Zone.
Only about a kilometer away from West Philippine Sea coastline, the site is connected to an all-weather navigable river towards the sea and 10-15 minutes boat ride to Potipot Island. The eastern side portion of the lakeshore is predominantly rural and hectarage of farms abound. Five kilometers away lies the mountain ridge of Zambales where several caves are present and some need to be rediscovered while the mountain goes ready for reforestation.
Lake Uacon is also a fish sanctuary that hosts many sea fishes species and other marine product like sea-weed varieties.
Edquid said the project is envisioned to become a world-class tourist destination and is expected to substantially boost socio-economic growth in the area.
Councilman Bernard Barrera, local Chair of Tourism committee revealed that once the project is completed, the amenities to be offered are first class beach resorts such as; Marina; International Golf and Country Club (36-hole); 1st class hotels; service Apartments; townhouses; world-class retirement homes ; scuba diving facilities; sports fishing (dragon boat competition); specialty restaurants; water sports; convention centers; housing projects for support communities and vital livelihood projects.
"A down-to-earth and real slam-bang showcase for tourism activities," Jimmy Mon, a realtor leader and partner of the Department of Tourism here emphasized.