Lawmakers from Eastern Visayas, led by House Minority Leader Marcelino ‘Nonoy’ Libanan, filed a bill constructing a 28-kilometer underwater tunnel across the San Bernardino Strait to connect Luzon and the Visayas.
According to a statement released on Sunday, the bill seeks to establish the crossing between Sorsogon in the Bicol Province, and Northern Samar in Eastern Visayas.
‘A fixed link-whether a tunnel or a bridge-will cut travel time, guarantee year-round mobility even during storms, and unlock new opportunities for trade, tourism, and employment,’ Libanan said.
‘Imagine being able to drive seamlessly from Metro Manila to Samar and Leyte without having to queue for a ferry. This will completely change the way people travel, move goods, and connect across our islands,’ he added.
Libanan encouraged his peers to support the bill, citing the disruption between the existing ferry links between Allen, Northern Samar and Matnog, Sorsogon due to ‘rough seas and congestion,’ making the travel less dependable.
Furthermore, the congressman explained its possible impact economically, saying that the link will ‘boost inter-island commerce, attract investors, and open wider markets for local products.’
Libanan also said that a land connection between Luzon and Visayas may strengthen disaster response, considering Eastern Visayas is often first affected by severe weather systems.
‘The tunnel or bridge will allow quicker deployment of emergency services and delivery of relief supplies during calamities,’ Libanan said.
Listed below are Libanan’s co-authors in writing the bill:
Niko Raul Daza (Northern Samar, First District)
Edwin Marino Ongchuan (Northern Samar, Second District)
Stephen James Tan (Samar, First District)
Reynolds Michael Tan (Samar, Second District)
Christopher Sheen Gonzales (Eastern Samar, Lone District)
Roger Mercado (Southern Leyte, First District)
Christopherson Yap (Southern Leyte, Second District)
Gerardo Espina Jr. (Biliran, Lone District)
Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (Leyte, First District)
Lolita Javier (Leyte, Second District)
Anna Victoria Tuazon (Leyte, Third District)
Richard Gomez (Leyte, Fourth District)
Carl Nicolas Cari (Leyte, Fifth District)
Andrew Julian Romualdez (Tingog)
Jude Acidre (Tingog)
Yedda Marie Romualdez (Tingog)
Jonathan Clement Abalos II (4Ps)