From Build, Build, Build to Bridge, Bridge, Bridge.
This is how Manila Mayor Isko Moreno plans to spur economic growth in the Visayas and address shipping delays brought about by port congestion and weather disturbances, as he bared plans to build a bridge linking Norther Samar in the Visayas and Sorsogon in Luzon during a brief stopover at Lavezares, Northern Samar after he visited the municipality of Allen, his mother’s hometown.
The presidential aspirant said connectivity across the region will not only boost its tourism sector, but also turn it into an economic center, similar to Metro Manila.
Accompanied by running mate Dr. Willie Ong and Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial candidates Samira Gutoc, Carl Balita, and Jopet Sison, the presidential aspirant lamented how a majority of Samar towns are still underdeveloped, which is why the 47-year-old leader said he is determined to provide more economic opportunities not only for his kababayan in the Visayas, but for the entire nation, if given a chance to be the country’s next president.
“Kagaya nga ng nabanggit ko noon, ang interconnection ng bawat isla sa Pilipinas ay paraan upang mapabilis ang daloy ng komersyo. Kaya iyong ‘Build, Build, Build’ ni Pangulong Duterte ay ipagpapatuloy natin,” said Moreno.
Moreno, whose father was born in Antique, pointed out “in fact, iyong distansya ng Matnog to Allen, pwedeng-pwede the way Macau and Hongkong were linked by a long bridge. It’s very long but they connected it in a very short period of time, nadugtong iyon.”
“So those are the things that are duplicable that may generate more economic movement for the entire Samar area all the way to Leyte. Kasi pag napagdugtong natin ang Luzon, and iyong biggest island . . . and you know Samar is the biggest island in the Visayas, gagaan lahat, magmumura ang cost, magkakaroon ng more economic movement, then there will be job opportunities para sa mga kababayan natin sa probinsya.”
Two years ago, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) made a feasibility study on the Sorsogon-Samar link bridge, and said the national government will need over 300 billion pesos to finance its construction.
The same study identified two other options. The first is the construction of a 24-kilometer crossing bridge with an estimated cost of P284 billion. It consists of three long-span bridges—Allen to San Antonio in Northern Samar, San Antonio to Capul in Northern Samar, and Capul, Northern Samar to Matnog, Sorsogon. The construction timetable is six years. The second option is to build a 257 billion-peso underwater tunnel, which will require nine years to complete.
Two years ago, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) made a feasibility study on the Sorsogon-Samar link bridge, and said the national government will need over 300 billion pesos to finance its construction.
In a visit to Cebu last November, Moreno told reporters, “just imagine if we can build a bridge wherein Bohol and Cebu are connected? The islands of the Visayas being connected by bridges, which is not rocket science. It’s a matter of priority by the national government.”
The presidential aspirant said connectivity across the region will not only boost its tourism sector, but also turn it into an economic center, similar to Metro Manila.
“When there is a new bridge, highway, airport, sea port and MRT, there will definitely be a lot of jobs and many opportunities for people to earn more. That will be the priority of my administration — life and livelihood.”
