The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been upgrading road networks leading to five tourism sites in Southern Leyte province.

“These tourism access roads will not only attract more tourists and travelers but will also provide locals easier transportation of their goods and farm products to commercial districts. Hopefully, these projects will unlock economic opportunities for communities near these sites,” DPWH – Southern Leyte district engineer Manolo Rojas said in a statement on Friday.

Rojas was referring to the projects to improve access to Fatima Hills in Macrohon town, with a budget of PHP2.61 million; Crater Lake in San Juan town (PHP24.5 million); Ollies Wall dive site in Liloan town (PHP9.8 million); Guinsaugon Lake (PHP9.8 million); and Bird Sanctuary and Mangrove in St. Bernard town (PHP9.8 million).

He said they are eyeing to complete these projects within the year.

Last year, the DPWH field office completed the construction of access roads to eight tourism destinations in the province.

The site for the tourism access road project has been identified through a convergence between the DPWH and the Department of Tourism to attract more tourists to less-developed communities.

Southern Leyte province is known for its world-class dive sites, caves, extreme adventure sites, waterfalls, safari, river trekking, crater lake trekking, fish feeding, island escapades, beach fun, and religious journeys. (PNA)