Pagudpud, officially the Municipality of Pagudpud, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 25,098 people. It is the northernmost settlement on Luzon Island and a popular tourist destination because of its resorts and beaches. In addition to tourism, people also make their living through farming, fishing and subsistence retailing. Recently, many windmills are erected in Barangay Caparispisan.

History

Pagudpud was made a municipality on 14 February 1954 through the leadership of Constante Benemerito. It was Rafael "Totoy" Benemerito, son of Constante, who spearheaded the establishment of the first municipal hall, municipal health center, public plaza, and public market. It had previously been a part of the neighboring town of Bangui.

Geography

Pagudpud lies 74 km north of Laoag City, the provincial capital, and 561 km north of Manila. Maira-ira Beach is the northernmost tip of Luzon Island, located at 18.55944°N, 120.7875°W on the Luzon Strait. The town's topography includes mountains, hills, valleys and flat coastal land.

Barangays

Pagudpud is politically divided into 16 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. There are 2 barangays that are considered urban (highlighted in bold) and 3 barangays that are considered the eastern part (highlited in italic.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Pagudpud was 25,098 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Religion

Roman Catholicism is the major religion in Pagudpud. Yet, there's also increasing numbers of members of other Christian Denominations such as Jehovah's Witnesses (with two congregations) and Iglesia ni Cristo. Islam, brought by Muslim immigrants, is also practiced in Pagudpud.

Economy

Government

Local government

Pagudpud, belonging to the first congressional district of the province of Ilocos Norte, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

Municipal seal

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. Some bus lines serve also the Pan-Philippine highway, the Asian Highway ends here for Taiwan the 27th Nation, dropping by in Pagudpud, namely Chona Patrick, GMW, St. Joseph, Gabriel, and the Pan-Philippine highway route buses of Maria de Leon and Florida.

Tourism

“Tourist Rest Area”

On May 17, 2024, the Philippine's 9th “Tourist Rest area” in Saud beach, Pagudpud was inaugurated by Marcos, Jr., Christina Frasco, Mark Lapid, Ilocos Norte Vice-Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos and Mayor Rafael Ralph L. Benemerito II. The first TRA in mainland and Norther Luzon is aimed to support small and medium-sized enterprises livelihood.

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