DOT-DPWH eyeing Php 3.1-B project under road convergence program in Ilocos Norte

Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)are looking at the possibility of putting up about Php 3.1-billion project in Ilocos Norte for the continuing implementation of the road convergence program (RCP) in the province in next five years. (Photo: Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippines/ Facebook)

LAOAG CITY—Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)are looking at the possibility of putting up about Php 3.1-billion project in Ilocos Norte for the continuing implementation of the road convergence program (RCP) in the province in next five years.

The national technical working group of the convergence program endorsed during a Provincial Development Council meeting presided by Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo Marcos Barba at the Capitol Session Hall at least 29 road construction projects leading to potential tourist spots in the different parts of the province.

Regional Director Martin Valera of DOT Region 1 and Acting Regional Director Ronnel Tan of the DPWH submitted a three-page list of road convergence projects that require a total of Php 3, 196, 797,988 funding under the RCP for the year 2018-2022.

Topping the list is a 9.36 kilometer access road leading to the Bolo river boulevard and Ay-ayo waterfalls in San Isidro village, Dulmalneg town worth Php 400 million. This is next to the Php 389 million improvement and concreting of Poblacion-Sto. Niño Madongan access road in Nueva Era town followed by a proposed 13.86-kilometer road network construction in Barangays Daquiaog-Tabucbuc-Santiago-Ferdinand-Elizabeth-Cacafean leading to Madongan dam, which is becoming a popular destination for tourists.

The municipality of Piddig which is host to the country’s largest national convergence project on coffee production has also requested an additional Php 200 million worth of road projects leading to the Lammin ecotourism project and to the World War II airship in Barangays Boyboy and Santa Maria, an 8.51-kilometer road concreting in Maruaya-Dupitac-Calambeg-Estancia villages and another road concreting of Tonoton-Mangitayag-Bimmanga-Loing road leading to the house and practice area of the first Filipino olympic medalist, Teofilo Ildefonso.

Other road networks leading to existing and new tourism destinations in the towns of Pagudpud, Carasi, Sarrat, Bangui, Dingras, Paoay, Marcos, Currimao and Batac were also being eyed for construction in support of the provincial government’s priority development plan.

Over the years, the construction of access roads leading to the province’s tourism destinations has contributed to influx of local and foreign tourists visiting this northern gateway of Luzon.