GUIUAN, Eastern Samar -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), together with 4Ps partylist Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan, launched a road project in Homonhon Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, to mark the 503rd anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan’s Landing on March 16.
Rep. Marcelino Libanan, Board Member Ralph Vincent Evardone as representative of the governor, and Guiuan Mayor Annaliza Kwan with other key officials unveiled the map of the Casuguran-Bitaugan-Habag road project. (Photo: PIA EAstern Samar)
Roderick Santos, barangay chairperson of Bitaugan, expressed his gratitude to Libanan for the road construction. He cited that the locals will benefit significantly from it as it will provide a safe access route for students going to school.
He added that it will also enable fish traders to easily transport their products to neighboring barangays. The road project will also aid farmers in transporting their agricultural products.
"Ha oras nga mayda emergency, mas madagmit an pagdara ha ospital lalo na an mga kabugtuan naton nga tikang ha Habag, urog na ngin aada ha mga maraot na panahon,” he said.
(In times of emergency, traveling to the hospital will be more convenient for our friends from Habag, especially during bad weather.)
Rep. Marcelino Libanan (middle) with Board Member Ralph Vincent Evardone as representative of the governor (3rd from right) and Guiuan Mayor Annaliza Kwan (4th from left) with other key officials received a bottle each of Island's Best Kalamansi Juice Concentrate, a product of Homonhon Islands, as token of gratitude from the locals. (Photo: PIA EAstern Samar)
Libanan expressed his joy that he brought good news to the Homonhonanons eight years after his last visit to the island, noting that he also initiated a road concreting project from Habag to Bitaugan in the past.
"Nalilipay ako nga tinagan ako han makagarahom hin pagtangpos han akon gintitinalinguha nga circumferential road naton. Kun iyo kikitaon ha Barangay Habag, ginkalsadahan ko na iton tipakanhi ha Bitaugan, pero waray katangpos kay naabutan ako han akon torno,” he said.
(I am filled with joy that God has allowed me to be an instrument in completing our dream of a circumferential road. If you take notice, I had a road project in Barangay Habag leading to Bitaugan. However, it still needs to be completed as my term ended.)
Libanan also takes pride in the design of the new road projects, which will provide a reliable road network on Homonhon Island that will follow the DPWH standards and specifications of a national highway.
According to Jayson Espeso, a representative from DPWH, the road project, which will cut across the barangays of Casuguran, Bitaugan, and Habag, is under the DPWH's Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) program, which is funded under the General Appropriation Act 2024 amounting to P100 million.
Aerial view of a portion of the Casuguran-Bitaugan-Habag Road. (Photo courtesy of DPWH-ESDEO)
Espeso stated that the launch aims to inform the public that a road construction project will be initiated this year and instill hope that the government is committed to enhancing the quality of life for the locals.
He mentioned that the Casuguran-Bitaugan-Habag Road is part of the proposed 61.3-kilometer Homonhon Island Circumferential Road. This road will link all eight barangays, providing faster, safer, and more convenient transport of products and services.
"The completion of the project will also shorten travel times, reduce travel fees, and promote historical tourism, making it easier to access the Magellan Landing Site. The road will also benefit the locals by providing easy access to basic services from the government down to the local residents," Espeso said.
The DPWH Regional Office VIII is preparing plans and programs of work to start the construction of the Casuguran-Bitaugan-Habag Road this year. (VTG with reports from DPWH Eastern Samar)
