Travelers going in and out of Ilocos Norte via Pagudpud Road are experiencing heavy hitches and need to pass three rivers in order to reach the main route to reach Metro Manila and other neighboring regions in the north, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) disclosed on Saturday, Sept. 17.
In a situational report released Saturday afternoon, Sept. 17, the DPWH Regional Office 1 advised the public to avoid traversing Sitio Banquero in Barangay Pancian, Pagudpud due to damage to concrete pavement brought by major land and rockslides due to bad weather that was experienced in Northern Luzon.
The DPWH Ilocos Norte First District Engineering Office issued a Traffic Advisory ordering the closure of Manila North Road, Kilometer 578+800 in Pagudpud.
The closure of the main artery heading to the Manila North Roads affected travelers going in and out of Metro Manila and other neighboring regions in the North that is passing through the Pagudpud Road.
Travelers were advised to take the designated alternate routes via Ilocos Sur-Abra Kalinga-Tuguegarao Road & vice versa (National Road) and the Manila North Road (MNR), Ilocos Sur-Abra Road Junction Narvacan Ilocos Sur-Bangued, Abra Section then Abra-Kalinga Road (Bangued-Tayum-Lagangilang-Licuan Baay-Balbalan Section) then Kalinga-Abra Road (Balbalan-Pasil-Tabuk Section) and then Junction Kalinga-Tuguegarao Road.
Other possible alternate routes from Ilocos Norte to Region 2 is via Ilocos Norte-Apayao Road but only 4x4 vehicles are allowed to traverse the area.
The DPWH also advised motorists to take the Tuguegarao via Conner Apayao road- Kabugao, Apayao-Calanasan, Apayao -Solsona Ilocos Norte.2.) Claveria, Cagayan-Calanasan Junction Namaltugan going left to Kabugao Apayao, going right to Solsona Ilocos Norte (one lane passable- due to ongoing project).
The DPWH Region 1, however, noted that taking the alternative routes on Ilocos Norte-Apayao Road needs to pass three rivers in order to reach the main roads.
“One river crossing with standby loader to assist motorists and the two other river crossings are passable with caution. Motorists are advised to take safety precautions while traveling the alternate routes,” it added.