Arthur Fuentes

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. graces the ceremonial switch-on of the San Juanico Aesthetic Lighting Project on October 20, 2022. The 2.16 km San Juanico Bridge, which links the provinces of Samar and Leyte, was built during the administration of the President’s father, the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and was funded by Japan’s War Reparations Program. PPA Pool

Article (news)

San Juanico Bridge

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Malacañang on Monday said it was saddened by the remarks of Vice President Sara Duterte questioning why the San Juanico bridge is being promoted as a tourist spot.  </p><p>Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Duterte&#x27;s lack of knowledge about the historical significance of San Juanico Bridge was &quot;alarming.&quot;</p><p>The 2.16-kilometer bridge, built during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., connects the Leyte and Samar Islands.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/20/house-spox-imee-marcos-trade-jabs-over-san-juanico-bridge-1852">House spox, Imee Marcos trade jabs over San Juanico Bridge</a></div><p>&quot;Nakaka-alarma ang kakulangan sa kaalaman, nagiging sanhi ito ng kasinungalingan. Tandaan po natin, ang San Juanico Bridge, ito po ay simbolo ng kagandahan at engineering capabilities noong panahon, noong 1973,&quot; she said.</p><p>&quot;Siguro karamihan sa inyo, karamihan sa atin, hindi pa pinapanganak. Pero hanggang ngayon, nakatatag pa rin, nandiyan pa rin, ang San Juanico Bridge ay kailangan lamang ang rehabilitation,&quot; she added.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PL8WqqE6d8c?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>During her appearance over the weekend, Duterte said she was &quot;super irritated&quot; upon seeing a tourism advertisement touting the bridge as a tourist spot, considering how short it was compared to a bridge in China.</p><p>Castro pointed out how world-renowned bridges, like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco in the United States, are considered tourist spots. </p><p>&quot;At tandaan po natin, hindi po sa sukat o haba o iksi o haba ng tulay, masasabi mo na ang isang tulay ay dapat gawing tourist spot,&quot; she said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/6/20/san-juanico-bridge-to-reopen-to-12-ton-vehicles-in-december-marcos-1334">San Juanico bridge to reopen to 12-ton vehicles in December: Marcos</a></div><p>&quot;Ang masakit lang, kapwa natin Pinoy, ibinabagsak ang turismo ng bayan, inaangat ang turismo ng ibang bansa. Samantalang ang Pangulo kagagaling lamang sa Japan para palakasin ang turismo ng ating bansa,&quot; Castro shared.</p><p>Since May, the bridge has been under a strict 3-ton vehicle load limit after a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assessment found the structure was in need of critical repairs.</p><p>Marcos set a December deadline for the opening of the iconic bridge.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YY1PYe_lD10?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Vice President Sara Duterte's lack of knowledge about the historical significance of the San Juanico Bridge was "alarming."</p>

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Vice President Sara Duterte's lack of knowledge about the historical significance of the San Juanico Bridge was "alarming."

Palace saddened by VP Sara mocking San Juanico bridge's tourist spot tag

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Palace saddened by VP Sara mocking San Juanico bridge's tourist spot tag

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 23, 2025 06:42 PM PHT

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San Juanico bridge

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