After the approval of House Bill (HB) 2962 declaring Wawa Dam as a tourist spot, Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles commended the committee endorsement as he deemed the resolution would be crucial to help in providing economic opportunities to the residents of the town.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo na aprubado na ng Committee on Tourism ang House Bill No. 2962. Wawa Dam has long been a tourist attraction, and we need government support to fully develop it for the benefit of the people,” Nograles said.
Under HB 2962 or the “Development of Wawa Dam Act,” the local government unit together with Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Interior and Local Government will be tasked to formulate a comprehensive development plan to facilitate the improvement of Wawa Dam as a tourist destination within one year of the bill’s approval.
These improvements scope the construction, installation, and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure in order to enhance, develop, and promote tourism within the area as well as support accessibility and security for tourist well-being.
The projected Wawa Dam plan will be integrated into DOT’s overall development program as the agency was also tasked to implement the said plan immediately.
Since the structure of the man-made dam in the hills of Sierra Madre in 1909, it has been acknowledged by the National Museum as an Important Cultural Property due to its structure and historical significance during the World War II era.
With its accessibility within the community, the site serves as a local hotspot for adventurers such as hikers and bikers due to the natural structure around it being surrounded by ravines, caves, and trails perfect for mountain biking.
Wawa Dam also caters for regular tourist activities including swimming, picnics, and nature photography.
Nograles also added that the proclamation of the site as a tourist destination would emphasize the need to protect and sustain the development of natural tourist spots.
“The continued patronage of tourists of sites like Wawa Dam indicates that our people value the environment and its bounty. Kinakailangan nating protektahan ang mga ito para sa mga susunod na henerasyon,” he stated.
He also assured that before the official validation of the bill, his office will continue their partnership with other groups to protect Wawa Dam.
Nograles has led numerous volunteer-driven tree-planting activities around the area as a proactive flooding measure in Montalban and surrounding municipalities for the past years.
Photo Credit: Facebook/CongFidelNograles
