Pagudpud, officially the Municipality of Pagudpud (Ilocano: Ili ti Pagudpud; Filipino: Bayan ng 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 kilometres (46 mi) north of Laoag City, the provincial capital, and 561 kilometres (349 mi) north of Manila. Maira-ira Beach is the northernmost tip of Luzon Island, located at 18°33′34″N 120°47′15″E / 18.55944°N 120.78750°E / 18.55944; 120.78750 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

Population census of Pagudpud

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1960 8,702 —     1970 11,283 +2.63% 1975 12,388 +1.89% 1980 13,675 +2.00% 1990 16,558 +1.93% 1995 17,168 +0.68%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2000 19,315 +2.56% 2007 20,385 +0.75% 2010 21,877 +2.60% 2015 23,770 +1.59% 2020 25,098 +1.07%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

In the 2020 census, the population of Pagudpud was 25,098 people, with a density of 130 inhabitants per square kilometre or 340 inhabitants per square mile.

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

Poverty incidence of Pagudpud

5 10 15 20 25 30 2006 29.60 2009 20.20 2012 17.76 2015 9.48 2018 5.68 2021 8.21 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

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

Members of the Municipal Council
(2019–2022)

Position	Name
Congressman	Ferdinand Alexander Araneta Marcos III
Mayor	Rafael Ralph L. Benemerito Jr.
Vice-Mayor	Bingbong Calvan
Councilors	Rex Constantino S. Benemerito II
	Efren Cimatu Jr.
	Imee B. Llanes
	Nestor Asuncion
	Nathaniel Edu
	Mercy Carizal
	Rey Garvida
	Melvin Viernes

Municipal seal

• Blue, Red, Yellow, and White, reflection of the colors of the Philippines 1954, the year Pagudpud was founded
• Coconut Tree and Ricefield, represents as farming as one of the economic resources of the town, with coconut, palay and vegetables as its major products
• Waterfall, represents Mabogobog falls, which is the source of a Mini Hydro Power Plant.
• Mountain, Tree and Logs, represents the forestry resources of the town
• Fish and Shrimps, represents its marine resources
• Shell with Pearl, symbolizes the tourism potential of the town which is famous for its white beaches
• North Star, stands for the location of the town of Pagudpud, which is in the northern tip of the Province.

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.

Gallery

• 
  Kabigan Falls in Pagudpud
• 
  Sunset at Burayoc Point at the juncture of Saud Beach near Pagudpud Rinnovati.
• 
  Saud Beach near Apo Idon resort. The Northwind Power windmills in neighboring Bangui can be seen in the distance.
• 
  The Patapat Viaduct

See also

• Patapat Viaduct