GUAGUA -- Mayor Dante Torres is set to position this town's one-kilometer dike as a perfect destination for bikers, joggers and health buffs.
Torres is capitalizing on the area that is already a frequent destination for bikers from all over Pampanga after the dike roads have been paved by the Department of Public Works and Highway.
The soon-to-open bridge that will connect this town and nearby Municipality of Minalin could also be reached from this dike.
The area will also be promoted as the next pilgrimage destination in Pampanga province during the Lenten season as the municipal government had finished the construction of life-size murals of the traditional Stations of Cross depicting the passion and death of Jesus Christ in the area located near the old Paglabuan River.
The area is the former site of the once strong Paglabuan River that shrunk into a meager creek after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.
Lahar silted and covered the once vast area of the river. It is in this area where the Guagua section of the Megadike was constructed.
The “new land” that covered the area of the river is now being developed as both an artists’ haven and eco-tourism park.
Torres said that another attraction for the area is the Stations of the Cross.
“We want that the area could cater also to people who would like to reflect. The area would be perfect to be one with nature and at the same time be one with God,” Torres said.
The Stations of the Cross were made of concrete materials and later on rendered under the encarna (painting technique to mimic flesh) process by Betis artisans.
Torres added that the area has already developed a reputation as a destination for joggers and bikers.
He added that the development of the area would be crucial for its protection as signs of lush vegetation from the wild shrubs and trees that grew through the years have already shown.