TACLOBAN CITY – The formal switch on ceremony of the lighting project at the iconic San Juanico Bridge remains uncertain.
This was confirmed John Michael Cristobal, Samar provincial tourism officer, said that due to some technical problems that need to be fixed.
He, however, said they hope to have the ceremony in time for the Samar Day celebration on August 11.
The P80-million San Juanico Aesthetic Lighting project is funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Authority (TIEZA) was approved in 2018.
The bidding started in 2019 with the groundworks started in the same year.
Amigo Entertainment Technologies Inc., the contractor of the project, had targeted earlier the completion last year but was not realized due to the ongoing pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
A test run was held in December 2020 with glitches identified resulting for another delay of the turn-over.
“We are targeting August 11, in time for the 180th Samar Day celebration but this may become early depending on the development,” Cristobal said.
Amigo lighting is targeting to finish the electrical lighting wiring works this April while works at the substation is targeted to be completed by June.
Early this year, the contractor had asked for the 90-day extension to fix the power connection from the substation to the bridge.
The contractor found the problem when they turned the lights on during the dry run from mid-December to January of this year.
Cristobal added that the project consultant and TIEZA also suggested to modify the substation located in one of the islands below bridge to optimize the use of power supply and efficient operations and reliable supply to the lighting requirements of the San Juanico Bridge.
Once operational, San Juanico Bridge will not only become a day-time tourist attraction but a night-time destination with the provincial government projecting business establishments operating around the area. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
