Candon Airport and Ilocos Sur-Sagada Road to Cut Travel Time to Three Hours

Travel time from Manila to Sagada, which currently takes around 11 to 12 hours by bus, is set to be drastically reduced with the completion of key infrastructure projects in Ilocos Sur by 2026.

Candon City Mayor Eric Singson announced that a new airport in Barangay Calaoaan, Candon, is expected to be completed by next year, with additional improvements to be finalized by 2026. The 500-hectare facility will feature a 1.5-kilometer runway, making it the second longest in the Ilocos region after Laoag International Airport. Funded with P270 million, the airport has also secured an additional P70 million from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for terminal construction.

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The strategic location of the Candon Airport near the Ilocos Sur Medical Center will enhance emergency medical response and evacuation capabilities. Furthermore, the airport is expected to benefit the region’s large overseas Filipino worker (OFW) population and support economic activities with the upcoming Candon economic zone.

Meanwhile, travelers to Sagada and other areas in the Cordillera Central will soon have a shorter route with the completion of the Ilocos Sur-Sagada road project. The DPWH has completed half of the P738-million Cervantes-Besao-Sagada Road, which links Ilocos Sur and Mountain Province. The Ilocos Sur segment, spanning nearly 12 kilometers between Barangay Patungcaleo and Patiacay in Quirino, includes concrete paving, drainage systems, and slope protection.

The DPWH plans to request an additional P198 million this year to complete the remaining civil works, ensuring the road's full opening by 2026. Once operational, this infrastructure will provide a more direct route between Ilocos Sur and Sagada through Besao, Mountain Province, cutting travel time from Manila to Sagada to approximately three hours.

These developments mark a significant milestone in improving accessibility to the northern regions, fostering tourism, economic growth, and better transportation options for residents and travelers alike.

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