BANTAY, Ilocos Sur — A P1.1 billion infrastructure project connecting the towns of Caoayan and Santa is being fast-tracked by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), a top official revealed yesterday.

In an interview, District Engineer Reynaldo R. Ablog of the DPWH’s 1st Engineering District said the Tamurong Island barangay-Caoayan-Rancho-Santa town road project, spanning approximately 2 kilometers, is part of the DPWH Regional Office’s Multi-Year Program.

Ablog acknowledged that the ambitious project is challenging due to the large rivers that traverse the proposed road.

He added that the road will pass through Tamurong, Puro Caoayan, Dammay, and Oribi Kan Rancho, Santa.

Residents of the densely populated, coastal, and isolated barangay of Tamurong can currently only leave the area by boat, and if the weather is bad, they are unable to travel.

The new road will benefit tens of thousands of residents in Caoayan, Santa, Metro Vigan, and surrounding areas by reducing travel time, while also helping fishermen market their catch.

Residents expressed their gratitude to Ablog for his efforts in pursuing the project, which they described as a "game changer."