President Rodrigo Roa Duterte inaugurated Thursday, July 25, 2019 the four (4)-lane bypass road to decongest traffic along the section of the Manila North Road that traverses Candon City and benefit around 13,000 motorists per day.
In his speech, President Duterte said he is pleased to join the Ilocanos for the inauguration of 7.319 kilometers Candon City Bypass Road Project which is part of his administration’s comprehensive Build, Build, Build infrastructure development program.
The President also acknowledged with appreciation efforts of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with the steadfast support of the local government of Ilocos Sur toward the successful completion of the bypass road that reduced travel time between the towns of Sta. Lucia and Santiago, Ilocos Sur from 40 minutes to 20 minutes.
According to DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar, the P717.671-Million Candon City Bypass Road Project including payments of road right-of-way was implemented in five (5) phases by the DPWH Regional Office 1 led by Regional Director Ronnel M. Tan.
Motorists headed to the northern part of Ilocos Region may now use this alternate road that begins at Barangay Ayudante and ends at Barangay Tablac traversing eight (8) barangays in Candon City namely Ayudante, Parioc 1st, Calaoan, Oaig Daya, Bagani Gabor, Bagani Campo, Bagani Ubbog and Tablac, added Villar.
The road project involves construction of 4-lane Oaig Daya Bridge, installation of road signages, construction of four (4) waiting sheds, and provision of pavement markings.
Other officials who attended the inauguration ceremony are Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., DPWH Assistant Secretary for Luzon Operations Eugenio R. Pipo Jr., Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis Singson, Ilocos Sur 2nd District Representative Kristine Singson-Meehan, Candon City Mayor Ericson Singson, Narvacan Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson, and other local government officials of the Province of Ilocos Sur.
As promised, DPWH under the Duterte administration will help spur development outside Metro Manila by building and laying the groundwork for new highways to accelerate the economic interplay between the urban and rural areas.