PAGUDPUD VIADUCT 2. Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos shares his excitement as he gave an update on the Patapat Viaduct 2 project on Oct. 16, 2023. He said the multi-year project has a total budget of PHP2 billion, which will come from the national government. (PNA photo by Leilanie Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos has assured the completion of the Patapat Viaduct 2 project in Pagudpud in the next two years, through a PHP2 billion budget from the national government.
In an interview Monday afternoon, Marcos said the project is, by far, one of the biggest infrastructure projects of the Marcos administration in this northern gateway of Luzon, which would ensure a smooth flow of public transport, as well as the delivery of goods and services.
“Alam naman natin kung gaano ito ka-importante sa ating pangulo (We know how important this project is to our President),” he said, citing the frequent road closures along the Manila North Road in Barangay Pancian due to landslides and rockslides caused by bad weather.
With an initial funding of PHP300 million this year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) already began the viaduct’s construction this month.
In May, the DPWH opened the bidding process for the project and tapped a Japanese consultant to help construct a more modern viaduct for the town of Pagudpud.
During the rainy season, motorists and travelers passing through the national road in Pancian, which connects Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions, get stranded for hours due to landslides and rockslides.
The first Patapat viaduct was constructed during the time of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos, which up to this time, serves its purpose of solving the landslide problem that had caused vehicular accidents in the past.
The bridge, which is elevated at 31 meters above sea level, affords motorists a panoramic view of Pasaleng Bay on one side and the Cordillera Mountain Range on the other.
The picturesque viaduct has also become one of Ilocos Norte's most popular tourist attractions, drawing hundreds of tourists to the area, particularly during the holidays. (PNA)
