TACLOBAN CITY – Mayor Florence Batula of Palapag, Northern Samar expressed gratitude to the provincial government for funding the repair of damaged sections of the Palapag-Simora Road, a vital route for trade and transportation.
The road, part of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road (SPCR) Project, suffered heavy damage due to shearline-induced rains and overuse.
With no immediate national government assistance, Governor Edwin Ongchuan allocated provincial funds for initial rehabilitation.
The 20.6-kilometer road includes 6.58 km funded by the provincial government from Palapag town proper to Barangays Magsaysay and Mabaras, while 11.6 km was constructed under SPCR Project 1.
Although the provincial government sought national funding in August 2024, the lengthy approval process and worsening road conditions prompted Governor Ongchuan to take action.
Repairs are now underway but are limited by the election ban.
The Simora-Palapag Road has yet to be categorized as a national road.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
