San Juanico Bridge: More Than Just a Tourist Spot
TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Visayas leaders have stepped forward to defend the San Juanico Bridge, stressing that it is more than just a tourist attraction. Rep. Jude Acidre of the Tingog party-list emphasized the bridge’s vital role in the region’s identity and connectivity.
“It’s more than just an iconic photo spot. It’s more than a ribbon of steel and concrete stretching across the San Juanico Strait,” Acidre said in a social media statement on June 23. His remarks came in response to Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent comments dismissing the bridge as a mere tourist site.
Vice President’s Remarks Spark Debate
During her visit to Melbourne, Australia, on June 22, Vice President Duterte expressed frustration over an advertisement promoting San Juanico Bridge as a tourist destination. She questioned, “Do you even know how long the San Juanico Bridge is? 2.6 kilometers. I was so irritated. How can a 2.6-kilometer bridge be considered a tourist spot?” She compared it to a bridge in China, claiming that only much longer bridges deserve to be called modern tourist attractions. Although there is no 264-kilometer bridge, she likely referred to the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge, which holds the Guinness World Record as the longest bridge at 164 kilometers.
San Juanico Bridge’s Historical and Cultural Significance
The San Juanico Bridge, spanning 2.1 kilometers, connects the islands of Samar and Leyte. It was inaugurated in 1973 during the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Built with Japanese war reparations, the bridge has stood for over 50 years as a symbol of engineering achievement and reconciliation between former wartime adversaries.
Acidre called the bridge “a powerful symbol of progress,” recalling a time when the nation dared to dream big. “It was a season of ambition, a moment when we believed that the best days of our country lay just ahead,” he added.
Tourism and Current Challenges
The bridge has been central to tourism in Eastern Visayas, attracting thousands of visitors annually with its stunning panoramic views, cultural significance, and recent nighttime lighting displays. However, concerns about its structural condition have surfaced. In May, the Department of Public Works and Highways partially closed the bridge to vehicles over three tons after visible cracks were discovered.
“What was once a source of pride has, for some, become a symbol of neglect,” Acidre lamented. He expressed disappointment over the divisive blame game instead of collective action to address the issues. “Instead of rallying together to fix the problem, we’ve seen blame tossed around. Instead of focusing on what we can do, we’ve been busy pointing out who’s at fault,” he noted. “And so, a bridge meant to unite has, sadly, become the subject of arguments and division.”
Local Voices Call for Unity and Preservation
Leyte businessman and provincial board member Wilson Uy also underscored the bridge’s deeper meaning. “Tourism is not measured in kilometers. The San Juanico Bridge draws people not because it’s the biggest, but because it tells a powerful story,” he said.
Despite the restrictions and political debates, Acidre assured that rehabilitation efforts are ongoing. Plans for a second span to complement the original bridge are also being considered.
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