By Robbie Pangilinan
Tacloban City Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez will initiate the construction of a boardwalk and viewing deck to attract more tourists to the iconic San Juanico Bridge, which connects Leyte and Samar.
Mayor Romualdez, Leyte 1st District Representative Yedda K. Romualdez, and representatives of the Department of Tourism conducted on August 24 a site inspection of the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) Campus in Cabalawan, Tacloban, where the boardwalk and viewing deck will be constructed. NMP Executive Director Romulo Vernardes, who assured Romualdez of his support to the project, toured the group.
“The project is intended for tourists to get a good view of the ‘Bridge of Love,’ dedicated by the late President Marcos to his wife, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, a Leytena. I believe it will help boost tourism in the City and nearby areas,” said Mayor Romualdez, who chairs the Regional Development Council that endorsed the initiative under the Eastern Visayas Tourism Roadmap.
The construction is a component of the San Juanico Bridge Lighting Project and a collaborative convergence of the City Government of Tacloban, the Congressional office of Congresswoman Romualdez, the Province of Samar, the DOT and the NMP.
The bridge was built during the term of former President Marcos and completed in 1972. The 2.162-kilometer arched truss bridge offers a picturesque view of the San Juanico Strait.
“We will first form a Technical Working Group, then after the approval of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, we will commence construction,” added Mayor Romualdez.
