Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Pagudpud Bayan ng Pagudpud
—  Municipality  —
From top to bottom right: Welcome arch passing through Pan-Philippine Highway, Dos Hermanos islands, Bantay Abot cave, Patapat Viaduct overlooking Pasaleng Bay, and Blue Lagoon
Seal
Map of Ilocos Norte showing the location of Pagudpud
Pagudpud Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 18°33′29″N 120°47′6″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Ilocos Region (Region I)
Province	Ilocos Norte
District	1st District
Founded	July 5, 1954
Barangays	16
Government
• Mayor	Matilde K. Henson-Sales
Area
• Total	194.90 km2 (75.25 sq mi)
Population (2012)
• Total	23,533
• Density	Bad rounding here120/km2 (Bad rounding here310/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	2919
Dialing code	77
Income class	4th class

Population Census of Pagudpud
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1995	17,168	—
2000	19,315	2.38%
2007	20,385	0.77%

Pagudpud a fourth class municipality and a coastal resort town of Ilocos Norte province, in the northern Ilocos Region of the Philippines. According to the latest census, Pagudpud has a population of 23,533 people in 5, 290 households. It is the northernmost settlement on Luzon Island.

The town 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 (72 km) north of Laoag City, the provincial capital, and about 350 miles (560 km) north of Manila. They reside in 5, 290 homes that are spread across 83 square miles (210 km²). Most make their living through farming, fishing and subsistence retailing. Tourism is a growing part of the economy.

Pagudpud was made a municipality on July 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.

There are no ATM"s in Pagudpud. The nearest ATM is in Pasuquin which is about 1 and 1/2 hours on a local bus.

Barangays

Pagudpud is politically subdivided into 16 barangays, or town districts.

• Poblacion 1
• Poblacion 2
• Aggasi
• Baduang
• Balaoi
• Burayoc
• Caparispisan
• Caunayan
• Dampig
• Ligaya
• Pancian
• Pasaleng
• Saguigui
• Saud
• Subec
• Tarrag

Highlights

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, as well as kilometer-long Saud Beach. 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 Babuyan Islands are visible from Patapat National Park.

The Patapat Viaduct, elevated 31 metres (102 ft) above sea level, is 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi) concrete coastal viaduct that connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag 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.

Kabigan Falls is surrounded by thick forest and well known for its concaved basin, located at the eastern part of Barangay Balaoi, about 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) away from the national highway. Kabigan falls is also part of the town of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and a trek going to this falls is usually included in the tricycle tour offered in the area. There is a 20 Pesos/pax entrance fee at the jump-off point where you will be assigned your official trek guide going to the falls. You don't have to worry about being lost or being conned in the area because the locals organized their official group to guide tourist and receive payment. The trek going to Kabigan Falls takes 30 to 40 minutes mostly of flat area so you'll have time to enjoy the verdant panorama. Although there is a visible trail going to the falls, you'll still need a tour guide if it's your first time there just to be safe.

Transportation

By land, Pagudpud is approximately a 90 minute bus ride from Laoag City. Several bus lines serve the Manila-Laoag route, namely Partas, Florida, Farinas, and Maria de Leon among others.

Gallery

• 

  Kabigan Falls in Pagudpud

• 

  Sunset at Burayoc Point at the juncture of Saud Beach near Pagudpud Rinnovati.

• 

  Saud Beach near Polaris Beach House

• 

  Saud Beach near Apo Idon resort. The Northwind Power windmills in neighboring Bangui can be seen in the distance.

• 

  The Patapat Viaduct

• 

  Saud Beach

See also

• Patapat Viaduct

External links

• Municipality of Pagudpud
• Article about Pagudpud and Saud Beach with plenty of Photographs
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 1995 Philippine Census Information
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System