The $131.6 million Samar Pacific Coastal Road 2 (SPCR-2) Project is set to move forward, with civil works expected to begin in May 2027.

The project includes the construction of the Talisay-Laoang Bridge, also known as Laoang Bridge 2, and the Calomotan-Pangpang Bridge, or Laoang Bridge 3. It is considered the “missing link” in completing the Samar Island circumferential road.

Once completed, the infrastructure is expected to significantly reduce travel time between key economic zones and improve access to emergency and government services for local communities.

On Tuesday, Northern Samar Governor Harris Ongchuan met with officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways-Unified Project Management Office (DPWH-UPMO) and consultants from Kyong-Ho Engineering and Architects Company Ltd at the provincial Capitol.

During the meeting, Kyong-Ho consultants said the detailed engineering design for the SPCR-2 project began in February 2026 and is targeted for completion by November this year.

Civil works are projected to run from May 2027 until 2030 and will be implemented by the DPWH-UPMO Road Management Cluster II.

“This has long been our dream to have Laoang connected to the mainland of the province, and we are very excited to see the project take off soon,” Ongchuan said.

In addition to the two bridges, the project also includes the rehabilitation and upgrading of a 12.5-kilometer two-lane road covering the Rawis Junction to Laoang-Calomotan-Palapag section.

Funding for the project will largely come from the Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund through a loan agreement signed in October 2024.

Present during the meeting were DPWH-UPMO RMC II officials led by Project Manager Engr. Emmanuel Supe and Kyong-Ho consultants led by Project Manager Kim Eun Cheol.