To be funded by S. Korean gov’t
TACLOBAN CITY-Governor Edwin Ongchuan expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his commitment to the realization of Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project 2 in Northern Samar.
The multi-year project, which includes the construction of two key bridges, the Talisay-Laoang Bridge (Laoang Bridge 2) and the Calomotan-Pangpang Bridge (Laoang Bridge 3), will be funded through a P6.34 billion loan from the Export-Import Bank of Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (KEXIM-EDCF).
The loan agreement was finalized during South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to the Philippines on October 7.
“I extend profound gratitude to the national administration, especially President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., for his unwavering support towards this transformative endeavor,” said Governor Edwin Ongchuan in a statement issued on October 10.
Gov. Ongchuan noted that he personally appealed to the President for support on the second phase of the project during Marcos’ visit to the province last year.
“This project aims to enhance connectivity between Laoang Island and mainland Samar, reducing travel time from 65 minutes to just 19 minutes by 2029. This will be a major catalyst for economic progress in the province,” the governor stressed.
Pres. Marcos first visited Northern Samar on July 16, 2023, shortly after assuming office, to inaugurate the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project 1, which had a budget of P1.12 billion.
This earlier phase connected the island municipalities of Palapag, Catubig, and Laoang to the rest of the province.
Gov. Ongchuan also expressed his gratitude to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan for their support in realizing what he described as a “long-held dream” for the province.
The Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project is expected to be completed by 2029, significantly shortening the travel time between Laoang and Palapag.
Preliminary processes, such as bidding, are set to begin within the year.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
