MANILA, Philippines – Remnants of the old Pantabangan town in Nueva Ecija has reappeared after water in the Pantabangan Dam receded due to an El Niño-induced drought.

When the Pantabangan Dam was built in the 1970s, the town submerged under water. Since then, the abandoned town would reemerge whenever water levels are extremely low.

This is the fourth time the town reappeared completely, said Karessa Castro Cortez, an employee at the assessor’s office of Pantabangan.

“‘Pag hindi po ganoon kababa ang tubig ‘yung krus lang po ng lumang simbahan ang nakikita dati,” Cortez told Rappler.

(When the recession of water is not that low, you can only see the cross of the old church.)

It is now considered a cultural heritage zone through a local ordinance and attracts tourists when it reappears.

While they allow visitors in the heritage site, Pantabangan’s tourism office reminds the public not to litter, bring food, get fragments of the structures, or set up camp.

Among the remains of the old settlement are St. Andrew Parish Church built in the 19th century, an old public cemetery, Norma’s Auditorium, and the stand of a statue of Jose Rizal.

Visitors have to pay an ecological fee of P30. They would have to take a boat ride from Pantabangan Dam to get to the sunken town, which will cost P150. Another boat ride is needed to get to the old cemetery. Visits are limited to 40 minutes. The heritage site is open from 6 am to 12 noon.

Pantabangan Dam, built on Pampanga River, is one of the largest reservoirs in Southeast Asia. Around 1,300 people had to be relocated to give way to the dam’s construction. – Rappler.com