MANILA -- After 30 years in the making, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. finally put an end to the economic dislocation of residents in Northern Samar with the inauguration of the “Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project” on Friday.

“With the opening of this road and its bridges, the development of Northern Samar’s rich agricultural lands and bountiful fishing grounds will follow suit,” President Marcos said in his speech during the inauguration of the project in Palapag, Northern Samar.

The Samar Pacific Coastal Road project started in mid-2018 under the “Build, Build, Build” program of former President Rodrigo Duterte and was completed in June this year under the “Build Better More” program of the Marcos administration.

During the inauguration ceremony, Marcos told Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa of the history of the road project on why it has taken 30 years to finish.

"We have been waiting and hoping. Everything that could happen to a project happened to this project. The storms came, there were security problems. Matagal na nating inaantay ito," Marcos said.

"We have been talking about this but then when it was starting to move again, the pandemic hit. So, tigil na muna. And so that is why, it was so important for me to come and to be able to see exactly what finally we have been able to complete, that to all of us here from Eastern Visayas have been waiting to see," he added.

Fulfilling his goal to provide a quality life for the residents of Northern Samar, Marcos inaugurated the 11.6-kilometer road project to provide the most sought long-awaited access connections between Simora and the towns of Laoang, Palapag and Catubig.

“The completion of this key infrastructure initiative links the so-called ‘Pacific towns’ of Samar and establishes a circumferential road around the entire island connecting markets, industries, and communities,” Marcos said.

The President emphasized the road project will expedite the delivery and movement of basic goods and services, strengthen the government’s resolve to improve the peace and order situation in the province and ensure that the economic gains and basic services are within everyone’s reach.

The chief executive said he is glad to preside over the inauguration of the project as he thanked the Korean government through the Export-Import Bank of Korea for its support in realizing the project and other initiatives under the government’s “Build Better More” program.

“Indeed, you have helped us lay the groundwork for a more progressive and prosperous Philippines… It has been an honor to build this partnership with you. I look forward to more collaboration and more flagship projects for the greater good of Filipino people,” the President said.

The chief executive noted the Korean government is funding 21 other projects in the country, which is expected to increase over the next years as he banks on the good relationship between the Philippines and Korea.

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

Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa, for his part, assured President Marcos of the South Korean government’s support to his administration. He noted the Philippines and Korea will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic ties next year.

“For my part, I will do my best to forge stronger ties between our governments and peoples,” Lee told President Marcos.

President Marcos also recognized the work of the provincial government of Northern Samar and the national government agencies in delivering services to the residents.

In response, the President assured the local government and the residents of the government’s unconditional support in their efforts to alleviate poverty, promote good governance, secure the health and well-being of the citizenry and usher inclusive development in Northern Samar.

“Through our determined efforts, we can build projects that will spur the growth of our local industries, boost our trade and commerce, and create more opportunities for our people,” Marcos told the local officials.

“So, let's never cease to reach out for bigger, grander, and more ambitious goals so that we can give every Filipino the future they heartily dream of and justly deserve,” he added.

The President also urged the officials and employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to stand firm in the administration’s mission to establish seamless and inclusive inter-island connectivity through national and local linkages.

In his speech, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project involves the construction of several bridges that will connect the towns of Palapag and Laoang, which is a total of 27 kilometers in the province of Northern Samar.

Bonoan said the first phase of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road will be opened to traffic, providing the most sought long-awaited access connections between Simora and the towns of Laoang, Palapag and Catubig. Over 3,000 travelers daily are expected to benefit from the project. | PND