Ilocos norte: Ilocos Norte officials are seeking assistance from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) regarding the planned airport project in Pagudpud aimed at stirring economic growth in the province. Through Provincial Resolution 042-2025, the Ilocos Norte Provincial Board is requesting the DOTr to conduct a feasibility study for the project.
According to Philippines News Agency, Provincial Board member Marlon Ferdinand Sales, who hails from Pagudpud, sponsored the resolution at the Provincial Board Session Hall on Monday. He emphasized that Pagudpud, known for its pristine beaches, scenic landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, can attract more local and foreign tourists with the establishment of a reliable and efficient air transportation infrastructure.
Engr. Raul Glorioso of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) stated during the deliberation that there is a need to conduct a technical study and screening of the proposed site as an initial step for the development of an airport. He highlighted the importance of checking the technical viability of the project, including its proximity to existing airports and potential obstacles on the runway.
Pagudpud is approximately 92 km from the Laoag International Airport, translating to around a two-hour drive. After checking the technical viability, the project’s economic viability will be assessed next, necessitating a feasibility study, as mentioned by Glorioso.
The resolution requests the DOTr, through Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez, to conduct a site evaluation and technical study of the planned airport project at the soonest possible time. This would be followed by a detailed feasibility study with funding allocation, which may take about a year or more, according to CAAP.
The proposed airport site is being considered in Barangay Tarrag or in Caparispisan. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. previously mentioned that major infrastructure projects in the Ilocos Region are underway to boost tourism and promote countryside development. During the inauguration of the Pagudpud Tourist Rest Area in May 2024, Marcos expressed anticipation of an influx of tourists in the area with the development of the Ilocos and Pangasinan Regional Historical Trail.
