Last Sunday, Castillejos town officials led by Mayor Wilma Billman, as well as private project supporters, broke ground for the Looc Lake Development Project that envisions to develop the 113-hectare natural lagoon here.

The project is expected to push Castillejos into another dimension and at the same time promote a greener environment and the growing tourism industry here, Billman told Castillejos residents and guests.

"We shall have a full array of recreation facilities, spas and wellness centers here, and with this project we can hope to be part of the global economy soon," Billman said.

Engineer Eduardo Soliven, the town’s planning officer, said his office has designed a master plan for the Looc Lake Development Project, which also targets investors to put up facilities and services.

The lake resort is located some 26 kilometers north of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and just two and a half hours drive away from Manila.

Soliven said the plan includes facilities for water sports enthusiasts, with canoes, kayaks, and aqua cycles, as well as family oriented fun activities like fishing and picnics.

He added that there will also be a floating grill cum bar and restaurant for anglers who would like to cook their catch while being serenaded by village bands using native instruments.

To capitalize on the serene vista of green fields, woodlands and mountains that surround the property, walkways and trails for trekkers, bikers and horseriders will also be built through agoho pine forests, Soliven said.

He pointed out that to attract the adventurous type of visitors and tourists, the resort will also have tracks for off-road motorbikes and all-terrain vehicles.

This is the right place to refresh and revitalize our mind and body, and renew our soul, Mayor Billman told guests as they toured the lakefront on Sunday.

Billman said the Castillejos government had initially released a P2-million fund for the upgrading of roads leading to the proposed resort.

Another P1 million has been secured from the Zambales provincial government by provincial board members Baby dela Llana and Billman’s son JJ, who represents the youth sector in the provincial board.

But Billman said she hopes that most of the funding would come from Castillejos residents, especially those abroad, who have money to invest in the lake resort development project.

She added that the fund-raising drive for the project was successfully kicked off, with participants in the recent homecoming program chipping in donations and pledging more funds for the lake resort project.