MANILA, Philippines – Ilang mambabatas mula sa Visayas region ang nagmumungkahi ng pagtatayo ng underground tunnel na magsisilbing permanenteng koneksyon sa lupa sa pagitan ng Luzon at Visayas.
Labingwalong kongresista mula sa Silangang Visayas—sa pangunguna ni House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan— ay naghain ng House Bill No. 4589, na naglalayong magtatag ng isang nakapirming 28-kilometrong tawiran sa pagitan ng mga lalawigan ng Sorsogon at Northern Samar.
“This is an investment in national economic integration and long-term growth,” saad ni Libanan.
“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,” dagdag niya.
“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.”
Ang iba pang mga may-akda ng panukalang batas ay sina:
• Cong. Niko Raul Daza (Northern Samar, First District)
• Cong. Edwin Marino Ongchuan (Northern Samar, Second District)
• Cong. Stephen James Tan (Samar, First District)
• Cong. Reynolds Michael Tan (Samar, Second District)
• Cong. Christopher Sheen Gonzales (Eastern Samar, Lone District)
• Cong. Roger Mercado (Southern Leyte, First District)
• Cong. Christopherson Yap (Southern Leyte, Second District)
• Cong. Gerardo Espina Jr. (Biliran, Lone District)
• Cong. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (Leyte, First District)
• Cong. Lolita Javier (Leyte, Second District)
• Cong. Anna Victoria Tuazon (Leyte, Third District)
• Cong. Richard Gomez (Leyte, Fourth District)
• Cong. Carl Nicolas Cari (Leyte, Fifth District)
• Cong. Andrew Julian Romualdez (Tingog)
• Cong. Jude Acidre (Tingog)
• Cong. Yedda Marie Romualdez (Tingog)
• Cong. Jonathan Clement Abalos II (4Ps)
Binigyang-diin ni Libanan na ang umiiral na ferry link sa pagitan ng Matnog at Allen ay madalas na naaabala ng maalon na dagat.
“Our people deserve a faster, safer, and more dependable connection,” aniya.
“Once completed, the fixed link will boost inter-island commerce, attract investors, and open wider markets for local products. This is how we create new jobs and lift more families out of poverty,” paliwanag ni Libanan.
Sinabi rin ni Libanan na ang proyekto ay magpapalakas sa pagtugon sa sakuna, na magbibigay-daan sa mas mabilis na pag-deploy ng mga serbisyong pang-emerhensiya at paghahatid ng mga relief supply sa panahon ng kalamidad.
Ang Silangang Visayas ay kabilang sa mga rehiyon na may pinakamaraming bagyo sa bansa, na nahaharap sa average na 20 tropical cyclones bawat taon. Kadalasan ito ang unang tinatamaan ng masasamang weather system na pumapasok sa Pilipinas.
Hinimok ni Libanan, isang kinatawan ng 4Ps, ang Kongreso na kumilos nang mabilis sa panukala.
“Every year we delay this project is a year of lost opportunities. It’s time to make this vision a reality for the next generation,” aniya. RNT/MND
