The construction of a second viaduct in Pagudpud town will start this year after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assured at least PHP300 million in initial funding.

Ilocos Norte First District Representative Ferdinand Alexander Marcos confirmed this on Tuesday, saying the second viaduct would prevent frequent road closures along the Manila North Road in Barangay Pancian brought by landslides and rockslides from bad weather.

But unlike the first Pagudpud viaduct, Marcos said the next viaduct will have a more modern structural design with the help of a Japanese consultant who has expertise in building viaducts.

“The President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) knows well about the problem [frequent landslide] in Pagudpud. That is why he too, is constantly monitoring the situation,” he said.

Due to the increasing occurrence of landslides on the Pagudpud highway, the heavy equipment of the DPWH both in the Ilocos and Cagayan Regions have already been prepositioned near the area to conduct immediate clearing operations every time a landslide or rockslide occurs.

The road serves as a gateway to most parts of the Cagayan Valley and landslides and rockslides pose risks to the safety of motorists traversing the area.

The DPWH has also proposed the construction of a rock shed as an alternative. Like the viaduct, the rock shed is a structure used in mountainous areas where rocks and landslides create highway closure problems. (PNA)