Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park set for further development in Nueva Vizcaya
Region 2, Tourism / HealthBy Rachel Magday Continued development is expected at the Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park (LMET) in the municipality of Diadi over the next three years, following the recent signing of a special work order plan by Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito. The signing was witnessed by PENRO Giovannie Magat of DENR-Nueva Vizcaya. This move is a crucial step toward fulfilling the requirements for the Department Administrative Order (DAO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which will officially declare Lower Magat as an eco-tourism area. According to Forester Roger Haboc, Environmental Specialist II and Officer-in-Charge of the Forest Conservation and Development Division of PENARO, a completed survey revealed that 400.33 hectares out of the more than 24,000-hectare Lower Magat Forest Reserve will be designated as the tourism area. This area will be managed and further improved by the provincial government. Once the DAO is released, the provincial government will begin crafting the Comprehensive Development Management Plan (CDMP), which will serve as the foundation for all future projects within LMET. Among the anticipated developments are additional accommodation facilities, including a hotel to be constructed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. Currently, LMET is already one of the leading tourism destinations in Nueva Vizcaya, attracting both local and foreign visitors with its natural beauty and recreational offerings. Significant improvements have already been made in recent years. Under the administration of then Governor Ruth R. Padilla, and continued by the late Governor Carlos M Padilla, the provincial government constructed the LMET Conference Center that can accommodate 1,000 to 1,500 guests, with a total funding of P89 million. An infinity swimming pool was also built with a budget of over P20 million. In addition, the road network within LMET has been fully cemented through the DPWH-DOT convergence program, making the park more accessible to visitors. Governor Gambito expressed optimism about the future of the park, saying, “With these completed and upcoming projects, we are confident that the Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park will further boost tourism and economic growth in Nueva Vizcaya, while promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development.”
