Public Works and Highways Sec. Mark Villar together with South Korean ambassador Han Dong-man lead in the groundbreaking of the P1.03-billion road project that will connect the towns of Northern and Eastern Samar provinces. (File Photo: Josiah Rei Echano)
TACLOBAN CITY — President Bongbong Marcos has approved the construction of phase two of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project (SPCRP), which involves a road and two bridges covering 15 kilometers connecting the towns of Palapag and Laoang.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, in an interview on July 19, said the second phase of the SPCPR is one of the priority projects of the Marcos administration under its “Build Better More” program.
He said they were now discussing the project with South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa.
“We will finalize everything within the year but we will do the technical design and probably by next year, we will start the civil works,” Bonoan said.
On July 14, the President led the opening of the SPCRP I connecting Palapag, Catubig, and Laoang. South Korea’s Export-Import Bank funded the 11.6-km road and bridge project at a cost of P1.03 billion.
The second phase will include an 800-meter bridge, named Laoang Bridge 2, connecting Barangay Talisay to Poblacion Laoang, as well as a 605-meter bridge known as Laoang Bridge 3, connecting Barangay Calomotan to Barangay Pangpang, Palapag.
Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan, in a statement issued on Wednesday, expressed his gratitude to the President for approving the second phase of SPCPR.
“(He) stayed true to his commitment. He assured us that he would approve the project, and we are pleased to announce that it has now received the ultimate endorsement from the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) Board,” he said.
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