Paved road provides easier access to Bangui Windmills

More tourists going north 

By Liezle BasaInigo          

BANGUI, Ilocos Norte -- People visiting the tourist-drawing windmills here now have more convenient travel after the road leading to the area was paved.

Department of Public Works and Highways Region 1 director Melanio C. Briosos confirmed last week in Dagupan City completion of the improvement of the Bantoc-Suyo-Baruyen Access Road which leads to Bangui wind farm located along the shoreline of Bangui Bay.

Esperanza Tinaza, DPWH information officer, said the road project to the wind farm involves the concreting of the gravel road and the widening of the bridge that connects to the place, which has been declared a top tourist destination.

The project worth P58.526 million was started in March 31, 2015 and completed in November 30.

The windmills which are beautifully arranged in a single row, forming an arc along the shoreline of Bangui Bay is among the fast growing Renewable Energy (RE) source of the country.

This as the DPWH road- widening project in nearby Burgos, Ilocos Norte is way ahead of schedule.

DPWH Project Engineer Angelito A. Dian, in a report to regional director Melanio C. Briosos, said the road- widening project along the Manila North Road in Burgos, with a total cost of P161.158 million started March 31, 2015 and was completed December 31, 2015 or almost two months ahead of its scheduled completion on February 23, 2016.

The road-widening project is also encouraging more tourists to visit the town which is rich with scenic and tourist-attracting shores or coastline from plain white beaches, rugged and sharp cliffs naturally formed through the centuries in the barangays along the shorelines, specifically the now famous Kapurpurawan Cliff in Barangay Saoit.

There is also the Burgos wind farm – the second wind farm built in the province of Ilocos Norte.

Another attraction is the historic Cape Bojeador Lighthouse which was built during the latter part of the 19th century. Located on top of a hill overlooking the vast expanse of the China Sea, it serves as a beacon to passing ships and to local fishermen. Because of its high elevation, it offers travelers with a panoramic view of the rugged coastline of Burgos.

North of Manila, the island of Luzon entices visitors with its mountainous areas, volcanic landscapes and a beautiful coastline dotted with pristine beaches.

You can also try sandboarding in Laoag or check out the last pristine beach in the North – the Blue Lagoon in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte