CALBAYOG CITY — Governors of the three Samar Island provinces unite to further push for the advancement of key road projects.
Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan led a coordination meeting of various stakeholders last Tuesday at the Northwest Samar State University in Calbayog City, focusing on the progress of major road projects crossing the island’s three provinces.
Tan said the meeting was also an opportunity for the provincial government to discuss issues with development partners, especially regarding project funding and their development impact, such as on insurgency.
Ongchuan, on the other hand, said that while the national government has provided extensive support to the three Samar provinces, especially on peace initiatives and infrastructure development, further support remains needed.
“We are deeply thankful for the national government’s ongoing support for our peace initiatives and infrastructure development, including significant projects like the Mondragon-Silvino Lubos Road and the Samar Pacific Coastal Road project 1, as well as the recently approved P7.2-billion SPCR 2 project which will connect Laoang to the mainland,” Ongchuan said.
“While we have made significant strides in provincial government-initiated infrastructure development, including roads, bridges and essential public amenities, further support is still urgently needed to comprehensively address the need for an extensive and efficient road network,” he added.
Ongchuan also stressed that the projects are crucial in propelling Northern Samar and the entirety of Samar Island toward a future marked by enduring peace.
Among the critical projects identified are the completion of the E. Duran to Macatingog (Bobon) Road in Northern Samar and the Silvino Lubos-Matuguinao Road.
The nearly completed Catumsan-Jipapad-Las Navas-Catubig-Rawis Road, also known as the Las Navas-Jipapad Road, now at 72 percent completion, and the ongoing efforts on the Silvino Lubos-Matuguinao Road aim not only to curb insurgent movements but also to open essential trade routes.
These routes are vital for connecting remote communities across Samar’s provinces and improving their access to basic health care, education and other basic services, enhancing Samarnons’ quality of life.