THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

Extreme water sports complex mulled along Angat River

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan, March 22 (PIA) Capitalizing on the provinces vast river resource, the Bulacan government is now gearing to launch next month a water park in Angat town that will be home to a variety of extreme sports. The three-hectare environmental water sports complex located in Brgy. Sta Cruz, Angat will be known as Ganda Koy Silayan: Angat Water Park which will include amenities such as water skiing, jet skiing, boating, kayaking, zipline, wakeboarding, floating restaurants, and fishing and picnic areas. We are hoping that the entire facility will be finished next year. Right now, we already had roads constructed going to the area, nipa huts built, and water sports equipment like water bikes, kayaks and jetski ready, said Angat Mayor Gilberto Santos. According to Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado, the water park will be launched next month as the environment and natural resources office and the tourism department develop the Angat River into an environment water sports facility designed to provide a range of water sports and activities, and will serve as a wildlife haven. Alvarado said Bulacan is blessed to have a river which flows from the Sierra Madre mountain range, traverses 11 towns in the province, and drains to the Manila Bay.

With this project, we are boosting the eco-tourism of Bulacan and providing a new and complete adventure package for enthusiasts who want to enjoy sports and the nature at the same time, said Alvarado. If Camarines Sur has their man-made water sports attraction, come to Bulacan to experience what real nature offers, he added. The other division of the water park will be established in Bustos Dam in Bustos town that will also utilize fresh river water from the Sierra Madre. Bustos Mayor Arnel Mendoza said the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), which supervises and funds tourism projects nationwide, had expressed support for the water park through its head Mark Lapid. TIEZA is willing to invest funds to realize this project. They already prepared the blueprint and layout for this project. If all turns well, with the help of other LGUs, the facility in Bustos Dam will be ready within two years, said Mendoza. (JMG/PIA 3)

Labuan International Sea Sports Complex

ALAPH Fish PROFI

LABUA Car Fe

Menub FISHE

MAN IMAG

LABUA

ISLAN Jati Comm Centre KG. AI LABUA SHIPY Lazend Comm Centre PASAR Pohon Sea Po Sea Sp Centre SHOR CENTR LABUA WATE FRON LABUA

A world class water sports center

Labuan International Sea Sports Complex is located at the waterfront area along Jalan Tanjung Purun. It is within close proximity to Labuan town center. The complex covers an area of 5.91 acres. It was a project under the 7th Malaysia plan and built at a total cost of RM25 million

So far, only Bulacan has been able to establish the tourism eco-zone.

Bulacan set to make Angat River a major ecotourism complex

THURSDAY, 22 MARCH 2012 20:15 RAMON EFREN R. LAZARO

CITY OF MALOLOSAn ambitious ecotourism project is slowly gaining its momentum along the stretch of Angat River in the towns of Bustos and Angat. Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado said the Angat River is being developed into a water sports center and at the same time, serve as a wildlife haven. Angat River is the major river in the province of Bulacan that flows from the Sierra Madre mountain range; slices through the towns of Norzagaray, Angat, Bustos, San Rafael, Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel, Calumpit and Hagonoy; and exits to the Manila Bay. The mountainous towns of Angat, Norzagaray, Bustos and San Rafael are rich with mineral resources, a veritable hidden wealth waiting to be tapped. The ecotourism project is expected to provide a new adventure package for enthusiasts who want to enjoy sports and nature at the same time, Alvarado said. He said they are now preparing for the launching of the water park next month and encourages nature and fun lovers to visit Bulacan and experience the beauty of its natural wonders. Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (Benro) chief Rustico Teddy de Belen said the project will be built in two major locations: one on the upstream of Bustos Dam in Bustos town and the other on the upstream part of Bakas to Pugpog of the Angat River in Angat town. Bustos Mayor Arnel Mendoza said Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid expressed his support for the projects realization. Tieza is willing to invest funds to realize this project. They [have] already prepared the blueprint and layout for this project. If all turns well, with the help of other LGUs [local government units], the facility in Bustos Dam will be ready within two years, said Mendoza. Angat Mayor Gilberto Santos said the facility located in barangay Sta. Cruz, Angat town will be known as Ganda Koy Silayan: Angat Water Park and will include amenities such as water skiing, jet skiing, boating, kayaking, zipline, wakeboarding, floating restaurants, and fishing and picnic areas. We are hoping that the entire facility will be finished next year. Right now, we already had roads constructed going to the area, nipa huts built, and water sports equipment like water bikes, kayaks and jetskis ready, said Santos. The project, once completed, is expected to boost tourist arrivals, both local and foreign, and help spur the economic growth of Bustos and Angat.