By next year, traveling from Manila to Sagada may take as little as three hours instead of the current 11- to 12-hour bus ride. This development comes as a new airport in Candon, Ilocos Sur, nears completion, alongside ongoing improvements to the road network linking Ilocos Sur to Mountain Province.
According to a Rappler report, Candon City Mayor Eric Singson announced that the 500-hectare airport in Barangay Calaoaan is set for completion by 2026. The airport will feature a 1.5-kilometer runway, which can be extended if needed. Once operational, it will be the second-longest runway in the Ilocos Region, following Laoag International Airport. The project is funded with P270 million, with an additional P70 million allocated for the airport terminal.
Strategically located near the Ilocos Sur Medical Center, the airport is expected to enhance medical emergency response and evacuation services. It is also anticipated to serve the large number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Ilocos Sur and nearby provinces, making it a viable transport hub.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is expediting the completion of a P738-million road project connecting Ilocos Sur to Mountain Province. The Cervantes-Besao-Sagada Road project, spanning nearly 12 kilometers, is already halfway finished. The DPWH plans to request P198 million this year to fund the remaining construction work, aiming for full completion by 2026.
Once both the airport and road are completed, the journey from Ilocos Sur to Sagada will be reduced to just two hours, significantly improving accessibility to the scenic Cordillera region.
