Aug. 13, 2003
The 333,000-hectare Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) was created and declared a protected area through Presidential Proclamation No. 442 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The park was formerly the Samar Island Forest Reserve, which was established in February 1996 through Presidential Proclamation No. 744 by then President Fidel Ramos to address the destructive flooding in the area due to massive logging.
SINP traverses 13 towns and one city in Samar province, 19 towns in Eastern Samar province and five towns in Northern Samar province.
Based on the government’s evaluation of the natural park from 2002 to 2003, some 974 plant species are found in SINP, considered a globally significant biodiversity site.
SINP is also home to critically endangered species such as the Philippine eagle and Philippine cockatoo.
Aug. 15, 2013
The Aluling bridge, which connects Cervantes town in Ilocos Sur province and Tadian town in Mt. Province, was inaugurated after 35 years of work since 1978 when the project was conceptualized.
It was funded on a staggered basis but construction work was damaged by flood waters in the 1990s.
The 180-meter bridge reduced travel time between two points from one hour to 30 minutes.
According to residents, people previously used “bangsal” (raft) as well as a “galong-galong” (wooden box similar to a cable car) to cross the river separating the two towns.
Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, officialgazette.gov.ph, pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph, dpwh.gov.ph, quezon.gov.ph, legazpi.gov.ph, tourism.gov.ph