U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg visited Guiuan, Eastern Samar on October 20 to break ground on a PhP9.5 billion (US $214 million) U.S.-funded road rehabilitation project. “New and improved roadways not only aid the recovery efforts after Typhoon Yolanda, but they promote long-term economic growth. The United States government is proud to support such projects,” said Ambassador Goldberg. Ambassador Goldberg led the official groundbreaking ceremony for the 77.51-kilometer roadway running from Llorente to Guiuan. The road is part of the Secondary National Roads Development Project (SNRDP) funded by the U.S. government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and implemented through the Millennium Challenge Account-Philippines. The PhP $19.4 billion (USD $434 million) MCC grant to the Philippines supports three poverty-reduction projects including a road project, a community-driven development project and a tax-revenue generation and anti-corruption project. SNRDP traverses 14 municipalities and one city, from Paranas, Samar to Guiuan, Eastern Samar. As of October 2014, about 42% of the physical road works for the SNRDP projects were completed, including its first contract which rehabilitated 16 kilometers in the municipality of Paranas. The rehabilitation works in Guiuan are estimated to be completed by April 2016. “As we did last November, the United States stands with the Philippines in the resolve to re-build,” said Ambassador Goldberg. “Upon completion of these projects, we hope to improve the lives of Filipinos and promote sustainable, broad-based growth.” (PR)
