TACLOBAN CITY – The construction of a boardwalk and viewing deck at the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) Campus is being planned to lure more tourists to iconic San Juanico Bridge, which connects the islands of Leyte and Samar.
On Thursday, August 24, Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez, together with Leyte 1st district Representative Yedda K. Romualdez and representatives of the Department of Tourism conducted a site inspection of the NMP Campus in Cabalawan, this city, for the planned boardwalk and viewing deck project for tourists.
NMP Executive Director Romulo Vernardes toured the group and gave assurance to support the project.
The project, intended for tourists wanting to get a good view of iconic San Juanico Bridge, is an initiative cited under the Eastern Visayas Tourism Roadmap which is endorsed by the Regional Development Council chaired by Mayor Romualdez. It is also a component of the San Juanico Bridge Lighting Project.
A collaborative convergence of the city government of Tacloban, the congressional office of Rep. Romualdez, the province of Samar, the DOT and NMP, the project is intended to boost the tourism industry in Tacloban and nearby areas.
The iconic bridge was built during the term of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos and completed in 1972. Spanning some 2.162 kilometers, the arched truss bridge offers a picturesque view of San Juanico Strait.
The bridge also dubbed as the ‘Bridge of Love’ was dedicated by the late President Marcos to his wife former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos who is from the Leyte.
The project will commence after a technical working group is formed and upon approval of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. –HENRY JAMES G. ROCA/CIO, Photos by Alex Alamos/CIO)