Pagudpod
Pagudpud is a coastal resort town on the
northernmost tip of Luzon in the Philippines. It is bounded
to the south by the town of Bangui and to the east by the
Cordillera Mountain Range, the town of Adams and the province
of Cagayan. The South China Sea lies to the west and north.
The town rolls over mountains, hills, valleys and flat coastal
land. It lies 45 miles north of Laoag City, the provincial
capital, and about 350 miles north of Manila.
According to the 2000 census, Pagudpud has
a population of 19,315 people. They reside in 3,804 homes
that are spread across 83 square miles. Most make their living
through farming, fishing and subsistence retailing. Tourism
is a growing part of the economy. Pagudpud was made a municipality
on February 5, 1954. Unlike Laoag City, the province's only
autonomous city, Pagudpud derives its authority from the provincial
government. It had previously been a part of the neighboring
town of Bangui.
Pagudpud characteristics
Its
white-sand beaches and crystal-blue water makes Pagudpud a
haven for tourists. Maira-Ira Point is also an emerging attraction
with its secluded beach known as the Blue Lagoon. Access to
this public beach is from a secondary concrete road on the
north side of the Maharlika Highway just before approaching
the Patapat Viaduct. On the way to the Blue Lagoon, a sea
arch can be seen. Coconut trees line much of the town's coast.
On a clear day, the Batanes Islands are visible from Patapat
National Park.
The Patapat Viaduct, elevated 31 meters over
sea level, is 1.3 km concrete coastal bridge that connects
the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan
Valley Region. It rises along the town's coastal mountains,
which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range
that snakes through Northern Luzon. It is the 4th longest
bridge in the Philippines. Located more than 16 kilometers
from the town proper, it offers a scenic view of Pasaleng
Bay- a view that leads towards wide and pristine beaches backed
by mountains with breathtaking waterfalls Kabigan and Mabaga,
along with the many cool, refreshing springs waiting to be
discovered within.
Location
Pagudpud is located in the northwest most
tip of Ilocos Norte, Luzon. It is a long 350 miles north of
Manila so for a weekend traveler like me, the fastest way
to Pagudpud is to take a plane, Cebu Pacific, to Laoag. At
Laoag International Airport there are downtown bound jeepneys
that can take you to the Pagudpud bus terminal.
