Samar Coastal Road now open, seen to boost transport of basic goods

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced the inauguration of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project in Northern Samar.

Samar Pacific Coastal Road is now open

The inauguration ceremony was led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It was also graced by South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa, DPWH Secretary Manual M. Bonoan, and Northern Samar Governor Edwin Marino C. Ongchuan, among others.

“With the opening of this road and its bridges, the development of Northern Samar’s rich agricultural lands and bountiful fishing grounds will follow suit,” said President Marcos.

The road is seen to cut travel time by five hours

The P1.03 billion Samar Pacific Coast Road Project is an 11.6-km road funded by the Government of the Philippines with assistance from the Export-Import Bank of Korea. It is constructed with three bridges – the 161-meter Simora Bridge, the 31-meter Jangtud 1 Bridge, and the 69-meter Jangtud 2 Bridge.

With the opening of the new road, the delivery and movement of basic goods and services will be expedited. The travel time from Palapag to Catarman has been reduced by five hours. Moreover, the road is said to strengthen the government’s resolve to improve the peace and order situation in the province.

The project's phase 2 is now in the works

In addition, the Phase 2 of the project was recently approved by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Investment Coordination Committee. This project is a 15.01-km road that will upgrade the Laoang-Palapag Road Junction to Catarman-Laoang Road Junction.

“I know you are all excited for today, but mind you that in the coming months, more and more [projects] will be delivered to you by this administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. under the ‘Build Better More’ program,” said Secretary Bonoan.

Another billion peso project outside the National Capital Region (NCR) is the Panguil Bay Bridge. The project aims to cut the travel time between Tangub City in Misamis Occidental and Tubod in Lanao del Norte to just seven minutes (from the usual 2.5 hours). It is expected to be completed by June 2024.

Don’t miss the latest road infrastructure projects at Philkotse.com.