Latest News

Ilocos Norte eyes conversion of prov’l roads into nat’l highways

The province of Ilocos Norte is eyeing the conversion of its 25 provincial road lines into national roads to further boost economic growth in these areas under the term of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Backing the move, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP or Provincial Board) unanimously approved on late Monday afternoon an urgent Provincial Resolution 2022-06-508 requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to convert these road lines with a total length of 215.860 kilometers. Overall, these consist of 36 percent of Ilocos Norte’s 595.360-kilometer provincial roads.

According to Provincial Engineer Luciano Domingo Jr., the proposed road conversion will "guarantee enhanced inter-regional, inter-provincial and inter-municipal linkages that will help contribute to the development of remote villages" in the different parts of the province.

He added that once converted into a national highway, officials and residents here will no longer have to worry about the “maintenance aspect” of the road as the DPWH is obliged to maintain, improve and beautify these road lines.

Based on the list prepared by Josephine A. Corpuz of the Provincial Engineering Office, the local roads being proposed to be converted into national highways are strategically located in areas being used daily by motorists and commuters. These road lines also serve as easier gateways to the neighboring provinces of Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, and parts of Abra.

In the first district of Ilocos Norte, these include the Pansian-Adams road, Pasuquin-Tadao-Bangui road, Bacarra-Tadao-Macupit road, Junction Paninaan along Bacarra-Tambidao-Nambaran road, Paninaan along Vintar-Manarang-Sta. Catalina road, Sta. Rosa-Pandan-Pariir road in Sarrat, Laoag-Vintar-Bacarra road, Vintar-Pallas-Piddig road, Vintar-Sarrat road, Vintar-Tamdagan-Tungel road while the second district covers the following: Badoc-Apatot, Badoc Poblacion, Tapao-Pagsanahan-Alogoog, Sta. Cruz Sur-Pagsanahan, Batac-Poblacion, Batac-Palongpong-Camandingan, Batac-Processional, Batac-short cut, Camandingan-Sarrat, Paoay-Batac, Paoay Lake road, Paoay-Processional, Paoay-Taytay-Pasil, Pinili-Nagtrigoan, and Batac-Pinili Road.

Source: Philippines News Agency