The impending construction of a PHP50-million tourism road in the Agusan del Sur town of Sibagat is set to enhance the accessibility of Managong Falls, one of the area’s main tourist destinations, an official said Wednesday.

“We support the construction of Padiay Road leading to Managong Falls in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, under the Tourism Road Infrastructure Project, or TRIP of the DOT-Department of Public Works and Highways Convergence Program,” Department of Tourism-Caraga Region (DOT-13) Director Ivonnie Dumadag said in a text message.

Spanning 700 meters, the Padiay Road project is set to start on April 15.

“Managong Falls has recorded over 1,600 same-day arrivals in 2023, indicative of its thriving tourism industry,” Dumadag said.

She also lauded the aggressive “Unlock the Landlocked” marketing tourism campaign of the Agusan del Sur provincial government, which attracted 74,000 tourists in 2023.

“DOT-Caraga is positive that the construction of this access road will pave the way to creating more opportunities for our local communities and, at the same time, unlock the potential of other tourism destinations in the municipality, thereby contributing to the increase of tourist arrivals in the region,” Dumadag said. (PNA)