Putting an end to three decades of anticipation, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has inaugurated the long-awaited “Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project” in Northern Samar. During the project’s opening ceremony in Palapag, Northern Samar, President Marcos expressed his belief that the development of Northern Samar’s abundant agricultural lands and thriving fishing grounds will soon follow suit, thanks to the road and its bridges.
The Samar Pacific Coastal Road project, which commenced in mid-2018 under the “Build, Build, Build” program initiated by former President Rodrigo Duterte, was successfully completed in June this year under the “Build Better More” program of the Marcos administration.
During the inauguration, President Marcos shared with Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa the challenges that led to the project’s 30-year timeline. He acknowledged the storms, security concerns, and the disruptive impact of the pandemic. However, he expressed the significance of the completion and the fulfillment of the community’s long-standing desire to witness its realization.
With the goal of enhancing the quality of life for residents in Northern Samar, President Marcos inaugurated the 11.6-kilometer road project, establishing crucial connections between Simora and the towns of Laoang, Palapag, and Catubig. By completing this vital infrastructure initiative, the President emphasized the creation of a circumferential road encircling the entire island, enabling smoother movement of goods, promoting economic growth, and improving overall community connectivity.
President Marcos highlighted the road project’s potential to expedite the delivery of essential goods and services, enhance peace and order, and ensure that economic progress and basic amenities are accessible to all. He expressed his gratitude to the Korean government, particularly the Export-Import Bank of Korea, for their support in realizing this project and other endeavors under the “Build Better More” program. The President recognized the positive impact of this partnership and eagerly anticipated further collaboration and flagship projects for the betterment of the Filipino people.
President Marcos acknowledged the funding from the Korean government for 21 additional projects in the Philippines, anticipating strengthened cooperation between the two countries. Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa reassured President Marcos of South Korea’s continuous support for his administration and emphasized the upcoming 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Korea.
In his address, President Marcos also commended the provincial government of Northern Samar and national government agencies for their diligent service to the residents. He assured them of the government’s unwavering support in poverty alleviation, good governance promotion, healthcare, and inclusive development in Northern Samar. Encouraging the officials and employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), President Marcos called for their commitment to establishing seamless and inclusive inter-island connectivity through national and local linkages.
During his speech, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan explained that the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project entailed the construction of several bridges spanning a total of 27 kilometers, connecting the towns of Palapag and Laoang in the province of Northern Samar. Secretary Bonoan announced that the first phase of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road would soon open to traffic, providing the long-awaited access connections between Simora and the towns of Laoang, Palapag, and Catubig. This development is expected to benefit over 3,000 daily travelers.
