Bridge in Mangaan, Santol, La Union Inaugurated on Valentine's Day

2025-February-14

» A 50-meter long bridge was inaugurated on a Valentine's Day in Brgy Mangaan, Santol La Union as part of the bridge component of the Santol–San Gabriel (La Union)–Kapangan (Benguet) Road project.

Here's the rest of the DPWH PR matertials about this project:



New Bridge in Santol, La Union Launched to Strengthen Trade and Services

The inauguration of the newly constructed 50-meter bridge Santol–San Gabriel (La Union)–Kapangan (Benguet) Road, La Union in Barangay Mangaan, Santol, La Union on February 14, 2025 marks the launching to strong trade and social services on upland communities and heighten ties between Region 1 and Cordillera Administrative Region.

The bridge, designed to improve transportation and connectivity, features three spans of 15 meters, 20 meters, and 15 meters, supported by two piers and two abutments for enhanced structural stability. The project also includes Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavement on the approaches, measuring 52.40 meters (Approach A) and 83.40 meters (Approach B )along with slope protection measures to prevent erosion and ensure long-term durability. The completed bridge is expected to stimulate economic activities in the region by providing a shorter, faster, and more cost-effective transport system not only in the town of Santol and San Gabriel, La Union, but it will play a vital role in strengthening trade and business ties between Ilocos Provinces and Benguet Province, as well as across Regions I and CAR.

Senator Imee R. Marcos who spearheaded the groundbreaking before led the inauguration, which was also attended by Santol Mayor Magno A. Wailan, who initiated the feasibility study for the implementation of the Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP), Construction of Road, Santol–San Gabriel (La Union)–Kapangan (Benguet) Road, La Union (Package 4) (Bridge Component).



Beyond economic benefits, the bridge is also designed to uphold environmental integrity and structural safety, ensuring that development remains sustainable for the years to come.

The completion of this bridge marks another step forward in the government’s efforts to enhance regional infrastructure, improve mobility, and support economic growth. With better road networks and safer passage for residents and businesses, the project is set to make a lasting impact on the development of La Union and surrounding provinces.



With a contract amount of Php 118,799,113.97, the project was implemented by Regional Office I headed by Regional Director Ronnel M. Tan.

Learn Why Vigan's Rep for Mr Ilocos Sur 2025 Went Viral

Why Did Vigan's rep in Mr Ilocos Sur 2025 Go Viral?

In the ongoing season of Mr Ilocos Sur 2025, Vigan's representative for the Mr Ilocos Sur 2025, Gabriel Faypon, went viral due to his pageant costume concept. His slogan "Nayunam to bassiten ading" gave his costume presentation a remarkable impact to Ilocos netizens.



That line is a common response of tricycle drivers in Vigan that every Bigueño has heard. It's a negotation line asking for additional fee on top of the ordinance-prescribed schedule of fares.

Ilocos netizens have mixed reactions. Some said that this slogan has painted the tricycle drivers in a bad light, arguing that it's not easy to earn as a tricycle driver. Some Ilocos netizens also said that Faypon's slogan represents the daily commuting struggles of every Bigueño, arguing that Vigan tricycle drivers are not following the schedule of fares prescribed by local laws resulting to overpricing.

Insider's Commentary

Faypon's costume indeed sparked debates in the Ilocos online citizenry as to the status of public commuting in the city of Vigan. The costume trigerred reactions and feedback from the commuting public in Vigan—representing their daily lives as a commuter. I think that law enforcement and local leaders should listen and assess the outcry of the public—though these reactions came from a witty place.

After all, more frustrations from the commuting public would encourage more people to buy their own motorcycles for convenience and cost-efficient traveling inside Vigan, thereby affecting the livelihood of local tricycle drivers due to the dwindling number of passengers.

Caoayan-Santa Road (Under Construction)

General facts about the proposed Caoayan-Santa Road (based on current available public information)

• In a report by Daily Tribune, District Engineer Reynaldo R. Ablog of the DPWH’s 1st Engineering District said that this infra road project will have a length of approximately 2 kilometers and is part of the DPWH Regional Office’s Multi-Year Program.

• This road will directly connect mainland Santa to mainland Caoayan crossing the Abra River starting from Brgy Rancho. A bridge will connect Brgy Rancho's host island to another island (Puro island). Puro island is composed on three barangays. The road will run through Barangays Puro (Caoayan), Dammay (Santa), and Oribi (Santa). From Oribi Santa, a bridge will span another section of the Abra River all the way to mainland Caoayan town via Pantay Tamurong. See theoretical diagram below for visual learning. The status of this proposed project is subject to change. I will update this post once new information is released.

From the Insiders

On 2025-February-16, we received a message from a project insider correcting a prior statement that the road project would cost 1.1 Billion pesos. It was clarified that the 1.1 Billion-peso fund is for the bridge components only.

Editorial Section

2025-Feb-02 » If this project will push through, the economic, panoramic, and socio-cultural landscape of the mouth at the Abra River will dramatically change. The communities at the mouth of the Abra River are considered "isolated" and far-flung in Ilocos context. There are 6 barangays in ILocos Sur that are situated in the middle of the Abra River.

With the coming of a new road, economic change will become dramatic. The island barangays that will benefit from this project will have improved logistics. Usually, transporting their catch from the sea is arduous. They still need to ride a boat to reach the mainland Ilocos Sur. With this project, trade and commerce will become much easier, more convenient, and safer.

Businesses will fluorish on these islands, since the cost for logistics and transport of goods will become cheaper. Tourism may also grow. The mouth of the Abra River used to be a wild and isolated landscape that is relatively harder to access from mainland Ilocos. The road construction will change the toursim landscape (for the better) in this part of Ilocos.

Jed Madela Performed in Vigan for the First Time

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐉𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧

"I had so much fun performing for the first time for all the Bigueños! I also got the chance to taste Ilocos' famous delicacies all in one day!", Jed Madela said in his facebook reel.

With his facebook post, let's deep dive into Jed Madela's Vigan visit. What were his activities in Vigan?



Jed Madela said that from his show in Manila, he immediately went staight to the airport to catch his flight to Laoag for his Vigan show.



Jed visited the city hall, and he apparently received his own Vigan passport, a toursim project in the city.



Jed also captured a video of the Ilocos Sur Capitol as he entered the city of Vigan.



Jed went to Grandpa's Inn, and he posted videos of Ilocos delicacies like the Vigan Bagnet.



Jed performed at Plaza Burgos as part of the Rambak 2025 of the Vigan City Fiesta/Longganisa Festival.

Tagudin Bypass Road (Under Construction)

Facts about the Tagudin Bypass Road.

• Tagudin Bypass Road will reduce travel time between Sudipen, La Union and Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur from one hour to just 15 to 20 minutes.

• The road has a length of 4.6778-km.

• The feasibility study of this project was executed through a "Notice to Proceed" agreement in 2019 under the administration of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Poject History Timeline

2019-Sep-11

• A notice to proceed was submitted and acknowledged in the DPWH Regional Office in San Fernando, La Union after the contract to conduct a feasibility study of the proposed Tagudin bypass road was approved.

2021-Jul-08

• Manila Bulletin published an article that Tagudin Bypass Road was 48.91 percent done.

2022-Mar-03

• A contract between DPWH-RO1 and APB Construction of Baguio City was signed and agreed upon for the acceptance of the bid to construct this project amounting to 56,209,711.94 (pesos).

2025-February-01

• A YouTube channel (@ForTHeViews-PH) published an aerial video of the Tagudin Bypass Road. The video showed that the bypass road would run east of the Manila North Road and would cross the Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabangan Road.



This blog will be updated once we find new information and visual updates.