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Suyo is a municipality in Ilocos Sur.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Suyo is a landlocked municipality established along a tributary of the Amburayan River. It is a highland town in the Cordillera mountains and has significant Igorot communities. Formerly part of the Amburayan subdistrict of Mountain Province, it was annexed by Ilocos Sur in 1920. The area saw heavy fighting in World War II during the Battle of Bessang Pass in 1945, when Allied forces struggled to break through Japanese defenses in Bessang Ridge on their way to liberate Baguio and the Luzon Cordilleras.
The main economic activities are agriculture and nature-based tourism, through poor road infrastructure tends to keep most visitors at bay.
Get in
[edit | edit source]Suyo is along Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabangan Road running between Mountain Province and Bitalag Junction intersecting with Manila North Road in the coastal town of Tagudin. It features scenic mountain drives through the Bessang Pass and frightening hairpin curves. A junction beside Urzadan Bridge leads north towards the municipality of Sigay.
There are passenger vans connecting Cervantes with Tagudin passing through Suyo. Another option is to take tricycles from Bitalag Junction.
Get around
[edit | edit source]Tricycles are the main form of transportation within town, but due to the uneven terrain, a 4WD is recommended. Most tourist attractions are only accessible through extended hikes.
See
[edit | edit source]
- 1 Mount Tapao, Poblacion. A mountain that served as a Japanese garrison during the Battle of Bessang Pass for the commanding views at its peak and is now a forested bird sanctuary.
- 2 Bantay Kalbaryo, Kinapian. A highland pilgrimage site for followers of Paltiing, an obscure religion based in the Ilocos Region. It also has a demonstration farm operated by the municipal government.
- 3 Dawara Falls, Poblacion.
- 4 Sangbay ni Ragsak (Falls of Happiness), Patoc-ao. Meaning "Falls of Happiness" in Ilocano, it is a 6–7 feet (1.8–2.1 m) cascade.
Do
[edit | edit source]Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 Suyo Public Market, Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabangan Road, Poblacion (beside Suyo police station).
Eat
[edit | edit source]Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]There are a few homestays and inns in town.
- 1 Suyo Eco-Mountain Resort, Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabangan Road, Sitio Coscosnong, Man-atong. A mountainside resort complex along the Suyo River run by the government.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]Landslides are common during the monsoon season from June to October. During this time, authorities suspend tourism activities.
Medical clearance is required to climb the area's mountains due to their extreme terrain.
Connect
[edit | edit source]The town's postal code is 2715.
Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Suyo |
| Tagudin ← | W  E | → Cervantes → Bontoc |