Madongan Dam in Ilocos Norte started out as a regular dam that supplied water to nearby towns, but as water levels decreased, slowly became a tourist spot for visitors to swim and frolic in. The entrance fee is only Php 10, and should you wish to stay longer, you can rent a cottage, with prices starting at Php 500. Its charm lies in its strangeness: who would have thought that you’d ever be allowed to swim in a dam? More importantly, how could a dam made by human hands be this beautiful?
Nowadays, it’s difficult to purchase anything for Php 10. You can probably get a few pieces of candy, pay for your jeepney or tricycle fare, or if you’re lucky, and are willing to take the risk a few sticks of fish or squid balls. However, it’s that almost-insignificant amount that can easily get you inside one of Ilocos Norte’s most beautiful travel destinations: Madongan Dam in San Marcelino, Dingras.
The dam was meant to supply water to nearby villages for their rice and corn production, but due to the lack of maintenance, water levels have steadily decreased over the years, and often reach critical levels during the dry season. Resident farmers in the town, on the other hand, saw this as a potential solution to their farming problems, and soon created cottages on silted riverbeds to cater to visitors who want to rest while enjoying the dam’s waters.
This piece of paradise in Ilocos Norte could very well be your next favorite.