San Juanico Bridge light show returns after ‘electrical breakdown’

FILE PHOTO: Residents watch and take photos of San Juanico Bridge from a distance during the switch-on ceremony for a light and sound show on the 2.16-kilometer structure linking Samar and Leyte provinces on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. The landmark is expected to draw tourists in this part of Eastern Visayas region. – The light show at the iconic bridge returned after it was temporarily stopped on Thursday night (February 9, 2023) due to an “electrical breakdown.” PHOTO COURTESY OF DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM-EASTERN VISAYAS

TACLOBAN CITY — The light show at the iconic San Juanico Bridge, which connects the islands of Samar and Leyte, was back after it was temporarily stopped on Thursday night due to an “electrical breakdown.”

Michael Cristobal of the provincial tourism office said their in-house team immediately fixed the problem.

The provincial information office posted an advisory on Thursday night, saying the light show was halted to avoid further damage.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr inaugurated the aesthetic lighting and sound at the San Juanico Bridge on October 19, 2022.

READ: San Juanico light show seen to boost Eastern Visayas economy, tourism

The bridge, which has a length of 2.16 kilometers, was built during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. as a “gift” to his wife, former first lady Imelda, who is from Leyte.

The aesthetic project at the San Juanico Bridge is one of the tourism-related projects undertaken by Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan under her “Spark Samar” program, which aims to draw tourists to the bridge even during nighttime.

The project was funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) of the Department of Tourism in the amount of P80 million.

The provincial government of Samar is responsible for the project’s maintenance, including the electric cost payment.