A bold push for a fixed link between Luzon and the Visayas
A group of lawmakers led by House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan filed a measure for a permanent land connection between Luzon and the Visayas. House Bill (HB) No. 4589 envisions a 28-kilometer crossing across the San Bernardino Strait, possible as an undersea tunnel or a long-span bridge, linking the provinces of Sorsogon and Northern Samar. The proposal represents a major step in national infrastructure planning, aiming to knit the country’s islands more tightly together.
What the project entails and who supports it
The bill calls for a feasibility study and engineering design to be conducted by a qualified international firm with experience in similar undersea projects. Funding for the study would come from the General Appropriations Act, signaling a formal budgetary path for the initial phase. The measure lists 20-plus authors from various districts across Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Biliran, and components of the Tingog party-list, with additional signatories from the Visayas bloc, underscoring broad legislative backing.
Rationale: economic integration and growth
Libanan framed the fixed link as an “investment in national economic integration and long-term growth.” He argued that a tunnel or bridge would shorten travel times, ensure year-round mobility during storms, and unlock opportunities in trade, tourism, and employment. He emphasized the potential to dramatically alter how people travel and how goods move, suggesting that an end-to-end drive from Metro Manila to Samar and Leyte could replace current ferry-dependent logistics.
According to the proponents, the current Matnog to Allen ferry route is frequently disrupted by rough seas and congestion, which hobbles inter-island commerce and daily travel. A fixed link would, in their view, reduce these chokepoints and provide a more dependable transportation backbone for Eastern Visayas and adjacent regions.
Disaster resilience and regional exposure to storms
The project’s backers highlight disaster response benefits. An undersea tunnel or long-span bridge would enable faster deployment of emergency services and relief supplies in the wake of typhoons and other calamities. Eastern Visayas experiences an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually and is often among the first areas hit by severe weather systems entering the Philippines. In this context, the fixed link is pitched as a strategic asset for national resilience.
Economic and social implications
Beyond immediate travel and safety advantages, supporters expect a fixed link to boost inter-island commerce by expanding markets for local products and attracting investment. The broader vision includes job creation and poverty reduction, as a more integrated archipelago could lower distribution costs and stimulate regional development. Critics, as with any major megaproject, may raise concerns about environmental impact, financing, and long construction timelines, but the sponsors believe the long-term gains justify the undertaking.
Next steps and feasibility considerations
The bill requires a feasibility study to be conducted by an internationally recognized firm with a track record in similar undersea or long-span projects. The timing of the study, the selection of the engineering approach (tunnel versus bridge), and the ultimate funding mechanism will be pivotal as lawmakers weigh the project’s costs and benefits. If the measure advances, it could prompt parallel conversations on regional connectivity, finance options, and disaster preparedness planning tied to the Philippines’ archipelagic geography.
