Solon: San Juanico more than an attraction, it symbolizes progress
Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre — Photo from House of Representatives
MANILA, Philippines — More than being a tourist attraction, the San Juanico Bridge is a symbol of progress for Eastern Visayas as the government once dreamt of ushering in development for the region, Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said on Tuesday.
Acidre said this in a statement after Vice President Sara Duterte questioned why the bridge was considered a tourist spot when it is not like longer and more modern structures in China.
According to Acidre, the San Juanico Bridge holds significance because it symbolizes a yearning for progress.
Acidre said for him, the structure is “more than just a tourist attraction… It’s more than a ribbon of steel and concrete stretching across the San Juanico Strait. The San Juanico Bridge is a powerful symbol of progress,” he said on Monday.
“It was built during a time when our country dared to dream big, when our leaders imagined something bold and beautiful, and they actually made it happen. We didn’t just build a bridge; we built a statement. A statement that we, too, could rise, create, and inspire. It was a marvel of engineering in its time, and even today, it continues to awe,” he added.
Furthermore, Acidre noted that the San Juanico Bridge was built using war reparations from Japan — which only gives more significance to the structure, and the need to maintain it.
“Not everyone knows this, but the San Juanico Bridge was financed through the war reparation payments of Japan. Imagine that. Decades after the devastation of World War II, two nations, once enemies, found common ground. They found the courage to look forward, to invest in peace, and to rebuild trust,” he said.
“The bridge isn’t just a piece of infrastructure; it’s a testimony that even the deepest wounds can heal, that forgiveness and partnership are possible. It teaches us that peace isn’t just the absence of conflict. It’s the act of building something new, something better, together. And more than anything, it is a symbol of unity,” he added.
While in Australia, Duterte criticized the alleged fixation over San Juanico Bridge, saying that she was irritated over a tourist advertisement of the Philippines stating that the bridge is a tourist spot in Tacloban City.
“I was very irritated about one portion of the advertisement that (said) in Tacloban, the tourist spot is San Juanico Bridge. How can a 2.6-kilometer bridge be a tourist spot? I was very irritated,” Duterte said in her speech.
But several officials like Acidre and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro have already called out Duterte, with Castro saying that the “bridge was a symbol of beauty and engineering capabilities during its time.”
READ: Palace claps back at Sara Duterte over recent tirades
Also, Acidre said the bridge links two islands with distinct histories, dialects, and cultures — serving as a reminder that the islands may be apart but they are united as one people and one nation.
“It weaves together stories of commerce and community, of family ties and shared aspirations. It bridges the dreams of farmers and fisherfolk, of students and professionals, of entrepreneurs and everyday citizens who cross it each day with hope in their hearts. It’s a literal and figurative connection, proof that geography doesn’t have to divide, it can unite,” he said.
“(Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez) has been quietly but persistently working behind the scenes to make sure that the San Juanico Bridge isn’t left behind. He knows its importance, not just as a lawmaker, but as a son of this region. He understands that this isn’t just about fixing a bridge; it’s about preserving a legacy, restoring faith, and reigniting a sense of pride,” he added.
A lot of discussions have surrounded San Juanico Bridge ever since a load limit was placed while it is being rehabilitated. In early June, Senator Imee Marcos — sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and daughter of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who oversaw the building of the bridge — claimed that only a small budget was allocated to the rehabilitation of the structure.
However, Acidre and House spokesperson Princess Abante noted that there have been sufficient funding for the bridge even before Romualdez — who is also Leyte’s 1st District representative — was elected to lead the chamber.
Acidre, whose organization is based in Eastern Visayas, said in a statement last June 5 said that data from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) show that the following amounts were placed under San Juanico Bridge’s rehabilitation and maintenance:
- P27 million in 2018
- P22.2 million in 2019
- P105 million in 2021
- P4.3 million for emergency repairs
- P90.6 million in 2022
- P150 million in 2023
READ: Acidre: House funded San Juanico Bridge repair
The San Juanico Bridge, which spans 2.16 kilometers and connects Samar and Leyte, is one of the longest bridges in the Philippines and has played a vital role in the economic development of Eastern Visayas.
Last May 16, a blue alert status was raised over the Eastern Visayas region after a weight limit was imposed on vehicles passing through the 52-year-old bridge.
The Office of Civil Defense meanwhile has established the San Juanico Task Group to manage security, safety, and operational coordination while repairs are being done.
READ: Marcos declares state of calamity in Eastern Visayas
Recently, President Marcos declared a state of calamity over the region, to ensure that the repair and rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge will be hastened and so that measures to mitigate the impact on residents of Samar and Leyte will be available. /das
