TO WELCOME VISITORS. These Bali-inspired umbrellas are waiting at the Paoay Lake's visitors' lounge. Its inflatable island, along with other waterpark amenities, is set to open on Jan. 30, 2022, Ilocos Norte provincial government said on Friday (January 28).(Photo courtesy of the Ilocos Norte Tourism) LAOAG CITY - The Ilocos Norte provincial government announced on Friday that its Paoay Lake waterpark will open on January 30 despite an earlier warning to defer" water contact activities" due to the presence of E-coli bacteria. In a statement, it said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has granted the provincial government an Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) but this was before a water testing, showing the lake has a high level of contamination and is unfit for swimming. Provincial environment and natural resources officer Victor Dabalos confirmed the waterpark may open without "bathing activities". "We were directed by our
PAOAY LAKE. Photo shows the serene Paoay lake blighted by high fecal coliform, according to the Jan. 24, 2022 letter of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to the Ilocos Norte government. A portion of the lake is being developed as a waterpark.(File photo by Leilanie G. Adriano) LAOAG CITY - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recommended an extensive cleanup drive around Paoay Lake before its new waterpark "inflatable island" can be fully enjoyed by visitors. This was contained in the January 24, 2022 letter of the DENR Regional Executive Director Crizaldy Barcelo addressed to Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Joseph Manotoc, referring to the January 28 expected launching of the waterpark, covering an area of 4,200 square meters of the 387-hectare lake. The DENR letter was received by the governor's office on Wednesday. Based on the water quality monitoring report and results of laboratory analysis conducted at the Paoay Lake on January