DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during the Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting held at the CSI Stadia in Dagupan City on May 23, underscored that key infrastructure and irrigation projects are already at various stages of implementation.
The President said the projects are vital to achieving the region’s sustained economic growth, efficient transportation, and higher agricultural productivity.
“We are here today to begin implementing the solutions. We have already started, and we will continue to do more,” Marcos said.
Completed projects
One of the completed projects supporting agriculture is the P940-million Sulvec Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.
Inaugurated by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in July 2024, this facility provides irrigation for about 1,045 farmers covering 700 hectares of farmland.
To improve road access and ease traffic, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 1 has completed the 2.2-kilometer Bangui Bypass Road in Ilocos Norte, worth P370 million.
The 2.5-kilometer Pasuquin Bypass Road, worth P366.5 million, was also completed, providing alternate routes and reducing congestion in the town center.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is also reviving Rice Processing Center III in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, with a P49.99-million warehouse and rice mill completed in April 2025.
The facility provides modern post-harvest and storage services to support local rice farmers.
“We have focused on food security and the growth of the agriculture sector. That includes ensuring that our farmers lead productive and prosperous lives,” Marcos added.
Infrastructure projects
Among the largest ongoing projects is the Bauang-San Fernando-San Juan Bypass Road in La Union.
Costing P5.16 billion, the road is expected to reduce travel time between the towns from one hour to just 30 minutes once completed in 2027.
In Pangasinan, the P1.07-billion, 6.62-kilometer Dagupan-Mangaldan-Calasiao Circumferential Road is scheduled for completion by 2028.
The project aims to ease urban congestion and strengthen the regional road network.
Marcos also cited the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) Extension Project, a P23.36-billion undertaking by San Miguel Holdings Corporation.
The 59.4-kilometer stretch from Rosario to San Juan, La Union, will reduce travel time to 40 minutes, benefiting around 13,000 motorists daily.
Also in the pipeline is the improvement of a 103.94-kilometer section of the Daang Maharlika (N1), which is targeted for completion in 2027.
The project, worth P2.35 billion, aims to enhance road safety and regional accessibility.
Irrigation, water security
To further support agriculture, the Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur-Abra Irrigation Project (INISAIP) was also highlighted.
Scheduled for implementation from 2025 to 2030, the P37.5-billion project will deliver reliable irrigation to three provinces.
The NIA is currently conducting site validation.
Once completed, the project is expected to irrigate 14,672 hectares of farmland during the wet season and 13,256 hectares during the dry season.
Local farmer Tony Jacla from Brgy. San Jose Norte in Agoo, La Union welcomed the government’s infrastructure push.
“We are happy with the various projects announced by the President. Hopefully, they will be completed soon so they can benefit the people,” Jacla said.
The RDC meeting reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to the Ilocos Region’s development blueprint.
It showcased how investments in infrastructure and irrigation can accelerate growth and uplift communities in Northern Luzon. (AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
