LEGAZPI CITY—The Bicol Regional Development Council has endorsed the construction of a 10.8-kilometer long bridge linking the island province of Catanduanes to the Bicol mainland.
The proposed bridge, which would be built from Rugus Point in Caramoan town, Camarines Sur to Barangay Tibang, San Andres, Catanduanes, would be five times longer than the San Juanico bridge joining the Leyte and Samar provinces.
Council chairman and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said it is about time to make the “impossible dream” happen, referring to the construction of the bridge. The idea was first raised five decades ago by then-Catanduanes Gov. Juan Alberto.
Salceda added that there are investors interested to take on the project, which the council had found feasible and viable.
Catanduanes Vice Governor Jose Teves said among the interested parties were Chinese investors.
Salceda could not yet give an estimated cost for the construction of the bridge but said it would certainly be in the billions of pesos. San Juanico bridge, constructed by Japanese engineers from 1969 to 1973, cost $21.9 million.
At present, Catanduanes can be reached by plane and by roll-on/roll-off ferry boat via Tabaco City in Albay. From Tabaco, passengers will travel four hours to Virac. Another route from Tabaco to San Andres takes two and a half hours.
Catanduanes Gov. Aracely Wong said the RDC endorsement would be good for the province’s 12 towns.