By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Dingras, Ilocos Norte—The local government here continues to improve Madongan Dam as a tourist attraction.
This summer, however, local officials admit that the summer season has caused a shortage of water in the dam.
Despite this, Dingras mayor Erdio Valenzuela said picnickers continue to flock to the dam as it maintained its “natural beauty with its water curtain”.
“So far adda met payla danum na ta adu met pay dagitay map-mapmapan a turistathough we admit a talaga nga adda pinagkisang iti danumen gagangay ta dagitoy a gundaway ket nakittid ti ayos iti karayanen”, the mayor said.
Mr. Valenzuela said they have coordinated with the police and the Brgy. San Marcelino council to keep the area safe, especially this summer.
The Ilocos Norte provincial government has provided tourist ambassadors and aids, as well as first aid nurses last year.
Brgy. San Marcelino operates and maintains the dam located at Sitio Nalasin. The municipal government, however, supervises security.
Aside from the dam, Mr. Valenzuela said the provincial government also provided people to help man other tourism areas here, including the Balay ti Ili, where the they displayed the town’s traditional farming ways.
Meanwhile, the mayor said they also plan to develop the Brgy. San Francisco waterfalls and the Brgy. Sulquiano caves.
Relative to this, the mayor requested for funding from Department of Tourism (DOT) for the additional tourist attractions here.