Calbayog City: Governors in Samar Island met on Tuesday to push for funding of 11 key road projects meant to fast-track Samar’s development through enhanced connectivity between three provinces. The follow-up coordination meeting held at Northwest Samar State University in Calbayog City focused on progress reports for major road projects crossing the island’s three provinces.

According to Philippines News Agency, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan highlighted the meeting as an opportunity to address issues among development partners. She emphasized the need for funding while considering the insurgency challenges in the region. Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan expressed gratitude for the national government’s support for peace initiatives and infrastructure projects, including the significant Mondragon-Silvino Lubos Road and the Samar Pacific Coastal Road project (SPCR) 1, and the newly approved PHP7.2 billion SPCR 2 project, which will connect Laoang town to the Samar mainland.

The meeting emphasized the completion of critical routes like the E. Duran to Macatingog Road in Bobon, Northern Samar. The PHP350 million project aims to provide a direct link between Bobon in Northern Samar and Calbayog City in Samar. Another major project discussed was the PHP3.2 billion Silvino Lubos (Northern Samar)-Matuguinao (Samar) Road, which plans to extend by 18 km and include four new bridges, aiming to end insurgency and open essential trade routes.

The Las Navas (Northern Samar)-Jipapad (Eastern Samar) Road, now 72 percent completed, was also identified as a priority. This project is part of a 16.640-km road network between Jipapad and Las Navas towns. Other projects discussed included the construction of roads from Poblacion, Matuguinao in Samar to Del Rosario in Las Navas, Northern Samar worth PHP468.6 million, among several others, each with strategic importance for regional connectivity and economic development.

Governor Ongchuan further noted the pressing need for additional support to realize a comprehensive and efficient road network crucial for the development and peace of Northern Samar and the entire Samar Island. Key attendees included Eastern Samar provincial planning and development officer Joselito Abrugar, Samar 1st district Rep. Stephen James Tan, Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy, and various officials from the Philippine Army, Department of Public Works and Highways, and provincial planning and development coordinators of the three Samar Island provinces.