by Miriam G Desacada Tacloban City–A Luzon-Visayas bridge or undersea tunnel is one step closer, with a feasibility study kicking off this year. A Visayas-Mindanao link study follows in 2027, aiming to connect the Philippines’ main islands . Say, House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan said the two studies would be conducted sequentially as part of efforts to establish permanent land links between Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao “The feasibility studies for the twin projects will be carriedout one after the other,” Libanan said. The lawmaker made the statement after members of Congress and provincial governors from Eastern Visayas met with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon. “Secretary Dizon assured us during the meeting that the proposed Luzon–Visayas bridge or undersea motor vehicle tunnel will undergo a feasibility study this year after Congress allocated P130 million to fund it,” Libanan said. House Bill No. 4589 authored by Libanan, which proposes the construction of a bridge or undersea tunnel connecting Sorsogon and Northern Samar. And separately authored House Bill No. 4950, which calls for a similar crossing between Southern Leyte and Surigao del Norte. “We envision the projects paving the way for the full economic integration of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” Libanan said. “By creating a direct, safe, and dependable land passage between the country’s three main island groups, these links will transform the movement of people, goods, and services nationwide,” he said. The projects are expected to boost trade, stimulate local economies, and enhance the country’s overall business competitiveness, according to Libanan. “They will also strengthen domestic tourism by opening vital gateways for direct land travel, These connections will also enable faster disaster response, improve national defense mobility, and promote stronger territorial cohesion,” Libanan pointed out. The transportation between Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao relies heavily on roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry services that are vulnerable to capacity limits, weather disruptions, and delays, affecting the efficient movement of passengers and cargo. Ferries connect Luzon and the Visayas mainly through routes from Matnog in Sorsogon to Allen in Northern Samar across the San Bernardino Strait. Please share Post navigation IN ALBUERA, LEYTEMayor Kerwin opens ‘Balay Silangan’;pushes community-based drug rehab The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is simplifying case procedures with “Minute Resolutions”
