A bold proposal to connect Luzon and Visayas
A ground-breaking measure is moving through the House of Representatives, led by House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, along with 17 other lawmakers. House Bill (HB) No. 4589 seeks a permanent, fixed link spanning 28 kilometers across the San Bernardino Strait, offering either an undersea tunnel or a long-span bridge between Sorsogon and Northern Samar.
The core idea is simple but ambitious: create a fixed cross-island connection that could radically shorten travel times and provide year-round mobility, even when storms lash the seas. Libanan frames the proposal as a strategic investment in national economic integration and long-term growth.
What the plan envisions
The bill calls for a feasibility study and engineering design to be conducted by an experienced international firm with proven credentials in similar undersea tunnel or long-span bridge projects. The study and design funding would be included in the General Appropriations Act, signaling that lawmakers see this as a priority investment rather than a speculative dream.
Specifically, the proposed fixed link would connect the provinces of Sorsogon in Luzon and Northern Samar in the Visayas. The choice of a tunnel or a long-span bridge reflects a practical approach to navigate the San Bernardino Strait’s depth, currents, and environmental considerations while ensuring safe, reliable year-round operation.
Expected economic and social benefits
Proponents argue that a permanent link would unlock new channels for commerce, tourism, and employment. Libanan emphasizes that the project could attract investors and expand markets for local products from Eastern Visayas and neighboring regions. By shortening travel times and improving reliability, a fixed link could help local producers reach wider markets and integrate supply chains across the archipelago.
Beyond trade, the measure highlights job creation during construction and operation, alongside longer-term economic spillovers for services, hospitality, and logistics. The proposal positions the project as a catalyst for inclusive growth in regions that have faced geographic and infrastructure-related barriers to development.
Disaster resilience and emergency response
Luzon-Visayas connectivity would also bolster disaster response. In the Philippines, rapid deployment of emergency services and relief materials is critical during typhoons and other weather events. Libanan notes that a fixed link could facilitate faster, more reliable delivery of aid and evacuation during calamities, a feature particularly valuable for typhoon-prone Eastern Visayas, which experiences frequent tropical cyclones each year.
Public discussion and next steps
As with any large-scale infrastructure project, the bill will require thorough environmental impact assessments, financing arrangements, and detailed risk analyses. Lawmakers stress that the feasibility phase must be rigorous and transparent, with input from local stakeholders, engineers, economists, and disaster-management experts. The timing of any construction would depend on the findings of the international feasibility study and the country’s fiscal capacity to support such an undertaking.
Context and significance for the Philippines
Supporters frame the Luzon-Visayas fixed link as a watershed project for national integration, potentially altering how people move, goods circulate, and communities connect across islands. If realized, the 28-km undersea tunnel or bridge could reimagine inter-island travel similar to major fixed-link corridors in other countries—and it would place the Philippines at the forefront of ambitious archipelago infrastructure in Southeast Asia.
Conclusion
With HB 4589 now advancing in the House, the Philippines faces a pivotal choice about investing in a cross-island fixed link. The proposal blends economic ambition with resilience planning and regional development, underscoring a long-term vision for a more interconnected nation. Whether this 28-kilometer crossing becomes a tangible project will hinge on rigorous feasibility work, sound financing, and broad public support that aligns with the country’s growth objectives.
