CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inaugurated the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project 1 in Palapag town, Northern Samar on Friday, July 14. 

The project, which was completed with the assistance of the Government of the Republic of Korea and the national government, connects the towns in the province facing the Pacific Ocean and completes the circumferential road of Samar Island.

The 11.6-kilometer road has three component bridges, namely, the 161-linear meter Simora Bridge, the 31-linear meter Jangtud 1 Bridge, and the 69-linear meter Jangtud 2 Bridge. The project cost Php1.03 billion to complete.

President Marcos thanked the Korean government for the support of the project through the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the other initiatives under the government's "Build Better More Program."

"You have helped us lay the groundwork for a more progressive and prosperous Philippines,” said President Marcos in his speech. 

“I’m certain that this undertaking will further strengthen the cooperation between the Philippines and South Korea,” he added.

He said that the project would help improve the quality of life of the people of Northern Samar by reducing travel time between Palapag and Catarman from seven hours to two hours.

The president said the project would also help improve the peace and order situation in the province by making it easier for goods and services to reach remote areas. 

President Marcos reaffirmed the commitment of the national government to continue implementing infrastructure projects in Northern Samar and other parts of the country.

Following the inauguration, the president led the distribution of government assistance to some 3,000 beneficiaries in the province in the provincial capitol's covered court in Catarman town.

The beneficiaries include indigent informal workers, persons with disabilities, senior citizens who are non-DSWD pensioner, and vendors.

Marcos vowed that the government will continue to carry out the programs and projects in order to uplift the living conditions of the poor particularly in the grassroots communities.

“Kaya yun po ang sadya namin dito hindi lang bibisita sa ating kapitbahay, kung hindi, para makita na yung ating mga ginagawang proyekto na pinag-uusapan namin sa Maynila ay tinitiyak natin na hanggang dito sa grassroots level ay umaabot. (That’s why we’re here not only to visit our neighbors but also to check that the projects we discussed in Manila will reach the grassroots level),” Marcos said in a short speech.

Lenard Mathew Dultra, resident of Brgy. Baybay Purok 7, Catarman, Northern Samar, one of the beneficiaries of DOLE’s TUPAD program, was very thankful to the government and to the president for it helps them a lot.

“Sa ngayon po balak ko po ipunin ang natanggap kong financial assistance para may magamit ako sa darating na pasukan ngayong college. (As of now, I’m planning to keep the financial assistance so that I have something to use in the coming school year),” Dultra said.

Under the Assistance to Individual in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, Jessica Martinez of Brgy. Baybay, Catarman, Northern Samar was so elated upon knowing that she will receive financial assistance amounting to P10, 000 from the government.

“Malaking tulong po siya para sa amin na mahihirap na mga tao kasi bihira lang po kami makahawak ng ganyang laki ng pera at makakabili na kami ng aming pangangailangan araw-araw tulad ng isang sakong bigas.(It’s a big help for us poor and we seldom got hold of such big amount. Now, we can buy one sack of rice),” Martinez said.

The president was accompanied by Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy E. Garafil, DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, DTI Secretary Fred Pascual, Northern Samar Governor Edwin Marino C. Onchuan, and Representative Paul Daza, among others. (MMP/CBA/PIA-8)