Sorsogon: About PHP130 million has been earmarked this year as the national government's counterpart for the feasibility study of the proposed Sorsogon-Samar Link Bridge, the Regional Development Council (RDC) Eastern Visayas announced on Thursday. This funding will serve as the Philippine government's contribution to a proposed loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance the study.
According to Philippines News Agency, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Eastern Visayas Regional Director and RDC vice chairperson Meylene Rosales stated that the RDC is still awaiting details on the total funding requirement being sought from the ADB. Rosales mentioned, "It is included in the 2026 budget, and we are already in the last quarter. We do not know yet as to the status. We have already written to DPWH to provide us updates."
RDC Eastern Visayas co-chairperson Judah Aliposa highlighted that during its recent meeting, the council endorsed a resolution supporting the immediate planning and implementation of two long-span bridges linking the region to Luzon and Mindanao. Aliposa emphasized the necessity of securing dedicated funding for updated feasibility studies and detailed engineering assessments to establish their technical viability, financial feasibility, and overall socioeconomic desirability.
House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, representing the 4Ps party-list, has filed House Bill No. 4589 to support the implementation of the long-span bridge projects. All House members from Eastern Visayas have co-authored the measure. Libanan remarked on the project's progress, stating, "This is a very significant development for the project we have been championing for so long. This confirmation demonstrates that there is a solid basis for continuing to push for the bridge and moving it to the next stage toward actual implementation."
The Sorsogon-Samar Link Bridge project, estimated to cost between PHP257 billion and PHP766 billion according to DEPDev's 2023 estimates, 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. Other options being considered include a submerged floating tunnel and a deep-sea tunnel. Currently, roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ferries transport passengers and vehicles across the San Bernardino Strait, with the 28-kilometer sea crossing taking an average of one hour and 30 minutes.
