National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration coral reef management fellow Kathleen Herrmann, the team leader of the Laolao Bay Road Improvement Plan, said $2.9 million has been secured for the project through federal stimulus funds.
“The whole project involves paving the road for ease of access and other improvements,” Herrmann said.
She said the second phase of the project, which is set to start within 30 days after the Phase 1 completion, involves the actual construction and paving approximately two miles of the road, barricading vehicular access to the beach to protect turtle nests, improving the dive site, and installing stream crossing or drainage.
“The project is now in its Phase 1 stage which consists of hiring a project coordinator and field manager, finalizing the road design, completing all the necessary permits and bidding the project out to a contractor,” Herrmann said.
The project committee earlier conducted a survey to understand what activities visitors and residents were engaging in when visiting Laolao Bay.
There were 155 respondents from various ethnicities who were residents of Kagman, San Vicente, Dandan, Garapan and other villages.
Herrmann said majority visit the place because of its good fishing grounds, secluded and peaceful environment, and beautiful scenery.
The survey also showed that the top environmental threats to the Laolao Bay are erosion and run-off, or too much soil going into the ocean, littering and a poorly maintained road.
Herrmann said the respondents recommended changes and improvements, including putting more garbage cans and regular garbage collection at the bay, paving the roads, building drainages and barriers to prevent beach driving, and constructing more parking spaces and more pavilions.
The improvement project was presented during a public hearing at the Kagman Community Center on Monday evening. Over 40 people attended.
