This 2.16 kilometer-long bridge connects the islands of Leyte and Samar. Formerly called the Marcos Bridge in honor of the late Pres.sident Ferdinand Marcos, the San Juanico Bridge is the longest bridge in the Philippines. It is also said to be a gift of the late president to his wife who was a resident of Tacloban City during her youth.
This project is worth $21.9 million-dollar bridge and was contracted to the Construction and Development corporation which is now the Philippine National Construction Corporation together with the Japanese engineers who conducted the studies and designed the actual project under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos. The construction lasted from 1969 until 1973.
In spite of the damages it sustained during the devastating super typhoon Haiyan, commonly called Yolanda, last November 08, 2013, the bridge stays operational and strong.
The San Juanico Bridge is set to be lit up by November 8, 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 January 12, 2018 the Php 80 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 July 2, 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) are shall 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.
From an aerial view, the shape of the bridge is letter “L” when you are approaching Leyte side and letter “S” on the part going to Samar.
San Juanico Bridge was formerly called Marcos Bridge because it was built under his administration.
The Bridge of Love
The bridge serves as the birthday gift to the wife of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, Madame Imelda who was known as the Rose of Tacloban. President Marcos considered the bridge as the most special gift to Madame Imelda.
