THE House of Representatives on Friday set the record straight on the San Juanico Bridge issue, responding to remarks from Sen. Imee Marcos by underscoring years of legislative work—and asking what tangible contribution the senator has made to help resolve the problem.
House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante said criticisms are easy to make, but what Eastern Visayas needs now is real, consistent support—not just soundbites.
“Gusto lang po naming ituwid ang mga maling akala. Hindi totoo na pinabayaan ng Kongreso ang San Juanico Bridge. Simula pa po noong 2018, taon-taon nang may pondo na inilaan para sa rehabilitasyon ng tulay,” Abante said.
She cited actual amounts: “P27M noong 2018, P22M noong 2019, P105M noong 2021, P90M noong 2022, P150M noong 2023, at may proposal na P400M para sa 2026.”
She added that Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who comes from Leyte, has personally taken the lead in ensuring that these efforts move forward. “Ginawa na ng Kongreso, lalo na ni Speaker Martin Romualdez, ang trabaho niya: nagtulak ng pondo, nag-follow up at personal na tumutok sa usapin ng tulay,” Abante said.
She also mentioned that on June 5, Rep. Jude Acidre met with DPWH Secretary Manny Bonoan on the Speaker’s instruction to expedite repair and assessment efforts.
Beyond short-term fixes, Speaker Romualdez is also championing a proposal to build a second San Juanico Bridge: “Plano rin niyang itulak ang ikalawang San Juanico Bridge para hindi na maulit ang ganitong problema.”
Abante then directly addressed Senator Marcos: “Noong kampanya, proud siyang sabihing ‘taga-Leyte’ siya. Tarpaulin dito, picture doon. Sinasabing may dugo rin siyang Waray. Pero ngayong may krisis – imbes na tumulong, puro sisi?”
“Kaya tanong lang po: Ano na po ba ang aktwal ninyong ambag sa San Juanico Bridge?” she asked.
“Kahit karatulang may nakalagay na ‘This Way to San Juanico Bridge’ man lang, meron ba?” she added.
Abante clarified that the delays are not due to lack of budget but to implementation gaps: “Ang totoo, hindi problema ang budget. Ang problema ay yung kakulangan sa koordinasyon, contingency plans, at maagang aksyon ng mga ahensya.”
She ended with a call for unity and constructive action: “Kung tunay tayong nagmamalasakit sa mga taga-Leyte at Samar, tumigil na tayo sa pasaring. Trabaho muna bago pulitika. Hindi ‘to panahon ng paandar – panahon ‘to ng pagtutulungan.”
