TACLOBAN CITY-The construction of the phase II of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project has received an initial green light from the South Korean government.
On October 25, representatives from the Export-Import Bank of Korea made their ‘appraisal mission’ regarding possible funding and feasibility of the road project.
The South Korean delegation, as part of their appraisal mission, carried out a project site survey and assessment, report from the provincial information office said.
“They also discussed with local government officials significant information involving the project such as scope of work, implementation plan, terms and conditions, cost estimates, among others,” it added.
The group, accompanied by local personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways, was welcomed by Governor Edwin Ongchuan and Rep. Harris Ongchuan.
To recall, the South Korean government through its Export-Import Bank of Korean, funded the construction of the first phase of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road project at a cost of P1.03 billion.
The 11.6 kms road and bridge project was formally inaugurated by President Marcos on July 14, 2023 connecting the coastal towns of Catubig, Palapag and Laoang.
It started in 2018 under the ‘Build Build Build’ program of the Duterte administration.
The proposed second phase of the project, dubbed as part of the ‘Build Better More’ project under the current Marcos administration, will involve the construction of road and bridge connecting the towns of Laoang and Palapag covering 15 kms.
It involves the construction of an 800-meter bridge, to be named as Laoang Bridge 2, connecting the village of Talisay to the Laoang población, as well as a 605-meter bridge known as Laoang Bridge 3, connecting the villages of Calamotan to Pangpang, Palapag.
Gov. Ongchuan earlier said that the road and bridge projects will not only help eradicate the province’s insurgency problem but more so, open the opportunities for economic development in the areas traversing the projects.
(ROEL T.AMAZONA with JOEY A. GABIETA)
