New road project threatens Kaangrian Falls

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

BURGOS, Ilocos Norte—The proposed opening of a new road leading to a popular eco-tourism destination here—the Kaangrian waterfalls, a multi-layered water fall located in the deep mountains of Brgy. Agaga, about five kilometers from the Burgos town paper--is a threat to the falls, said Burgos Mayor Crescente Garcia.

When the Kaangrian Falls was finally opened for tourists, the local government unit here purposively decided not to build a concrete road leading to the area to ensure that the place is only accessible to adventurers who loves to trek the mountains and regulate the entry of vehicles as much as possible.

This also one way of regulating the number of tourists to visit this natural wonder, cinematically perfect for fantasy movies and more. 

On Feb. 25, Garcia raised the alarm as its neighboring Pasuquin town has been reported to be planning to establish a road leading to the area to make it more accessible to vehicles and tourists.

“We are appealing to concerned authorities particularly our provincial government to look into this so that there should only be one way connecting to the Kaangrian waterfalls,” he said.

Should there be an alternative road leading to the place, Garcia warned that this may threaten the waterfalls, which also serves as a water reservoir to sustain the growth of agricultural crops in Burgos town.

“If this happens, we may lose control of safeguarding the Kaangrian waterfalls and may end up just collecting wastes left by tourists,” he said.

Earlier, local authorities apprehended bonsai collectors from the neighboring town near the Agaga mountains where the waterfalls is located.

Garcia reported that about 10 huge bonsai materials were confiscated from them while transporting these items without necessary permits.

As of press time, the items are under the custody of the municipal environment and natural resources pending the filing of appropriate charges against them.

“I hope this gives them a signal that we are serious in our effort to preserve the environment,” Garcia ended.

Aside from the Kaangrian waterfalls, the emerging tourist destination of Burgos town in Ilocos Norte province is gifted other natural landmarks such as the Kapurpurawan rocks formation, Av-avis waterfalls, Palpalokada and the UNESCO-world heritage site of Cape Bojeador lighthouse, captivating more foreign and domestic tourists including movie makers to visit this northern gate land.

Like its neighboring Bangui town, Burgos will soon be a home to 100 wind turbines, with the Vestas of Denmark, the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturer, as supplier of the 29 V90-3.0 MW wind turbines that is presently undergoing construction along the sprawling 600 hectares covering at least three barangays: Saoit, Poblacion and Nagsurot.

The Lopez-led Energy Development Corporation has signed a deal to commence the construction of its 87-MW wind farm in Burgos town worth US$300 million covering the costs of the wind farm, substation and transmission line and it is expected to be completed within this year.