San Juanico, Eastern Visayas’ Iconic Bridge, to Be Lit Up by End of 2018

The San Juanico Bridge is set to be lit up by 08 November 2018, in time for the commemoration of the Fifth Anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Board approved last 12 January 2018 the P80 million – San Juanico Bridge Lighting Project, proposed by Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan.

The San Juanico Bridge was constructed in 1969 and was inaugurated on 02 July 1973. Having a total length of 2.16 kilometers, it is considered as the longest bridge across a body of seawater in the Philippines. It connects the islands of Samar and Leyte. The bridge serves as the icon for Eastern Visayas, symbolizing the strength and resiliency of its people, history, and culture.

In the approved project, light-emitting diodes (LED) will be used. The San Juanico Bridge Lighting Project will feature nighttime lights and even timed lighting effects on special occasions. The design is patterned after some iconic bridges in the world.

This aesthetic enhancement is expected to further boost tourism and economic activities in both Samar and Leyte. Through this, other tourist destinations in nearby municipalities and cities will also be highlighted such as the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park and the Sohoton Caves and Natural Bridge National Park.

“This will be the first time we’ll light up a bridge in the country. Not just any bridge, but the San Juanico Bridge. We are targeting to have the bridge lit up on the Fifth Anniversary of Yolanda. We hope this brings a message of hope to the resilient people of Eastern Visayas”, said TIEZA Chief Operating Officer / General Manager Pocholo Paragas.

TIEZA, the builder of tourism infrastructures, brings development to areas with high cultural, historical, religious, heritage and/or eco-tourism values. (Artist Rendering. Photo Courtesy of the Provincial Government of Samar via Philippine News Agency/TIEZA)