Ronnie C. Roa | October 31, 2022
His Excellency Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. switched on the San Juanico Aesthetic Lights during the ceremonial switching on the evening of October 19 at Sta. Rita, Samar.
PBBM, as he is commonly called, shared his delight to lead the ceremonial lighting as San Juanico Bridge was one of the flagship projects completed during his father’s tenure in July of 1973.
Spanning 2.16 kilometers, San Juanico Bridge is the longest bridge along the Pan-American (Maharlika) Highway stretching along the San Juanico Strait and connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte.
The aesthetic lighting project was proposed to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) in 2015 by Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and the Department of Tourism (DOT-8). TIEZA allocated P80M that was completed by Amigo Entertainment Technologies, Inc. after three (3) years of delay due to disruptions caused by the COVID19 pandemic. TIEZA also allocated an additional P90M for the construction of a boardwalk.
The massive investment of TIEZA on San Juanico Bridge is expected to stir the economy in the region. Various peoples organizations have been trained to lead community-based tourism in the Province of Samar, especially the municipalities of Sta. Rita and Basey. These towns are the most proximate to the bridge and would benefit most when this investment pays off. The provincial tourism slogan “Spark Samar” is also expected to entice tourists and investors to explore the potential of the province.
Thousands flocked to the bridge and wowed at the masterpiece during the lighting up.
A schedule for the lighting was also released. This is beneficial for domestic and foreign tourists who wish to see and enjoy the aesthetic lights at the iconic bridge.
On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the bridge will be lit up by static lights from 6PM until midnight. Between 7PM and 10PM, the bridge will feature four (4) 15-minute light shows.
On Mondays until Thursdays, static lights will illuminate the bridge from 6PM until 10PM.
Leyte Gulf Landing
PBBM also led the wreath-laying activity in honor of World War II veterans and heroes during the commemoration of the 78th Leyte Gulf Landing on October 20 at the MacArthur Landing National Park, Palo, Leyte.
The president assured war veterans that his administration will continue to support and will not allow memories to lapse on the blood, life, and sacrifices of the brave war veterans being sanctified at the MacArthur Landing National Park.
He also reiterated his administration’s advocacy for peace and unity. He swore to work and strengthen the domestic efforts on peace-building, especially on conflict-affected areas. He will also pursue and enhance relations with the Philippines’ neighbors while ensuring security, addressing global issues and climate change, facilitating post-pandemic growth, and all the existential challenges that the country is facing today.
PBBM in Ormoc
Later that day, PBBM also graced the 75th Charter Day Anniversary in Ormoc City.
In a simple ceremony inside the Ormoc City Superdome, he expressed his hopes that the Local Government Unit of Ormoc City will bind its people and sustain its programs and projects that are primarily geared towards addressing the crisis the country faces, specifically food security, energy supply, and climate change.
“When we ensure that the present generation receives quality education and the Filipino people become free from hunger, we can make our lives more comfortable and usher our country to the heights of progress,” President Marcos said.
He also inspected the rehabilitation of the Ormoc City Airport.
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