Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro highlighted the enduring significance of the 2.16-kilometer bridge, which connects Samar and Leyte, describing it as a symbol of Filipino engineering and national pride.
“The San Juanico Bridge is a symbol of beauty and engineering capabilities of that time, back in 1973,” Castro said during a press briefing. “Perhaps most of us weren’t even born yet—but until now, it’s still standing, it’s still there. The San Juanico Bridge is just in need of rehabilitation,” she added.
Castro’s remarks came after Vice President Duterte questioned why the bridge continues to be promoted as a tourist destination, suggesting that not all infrastructure projects are meant for tourism.
“The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is 2.7 kilometers, just slightly longer than San Juanico, but it’s world-renowned. Even El Marco Bridge in Spain, the shortest bridge at just six meters, is considered a tourist spot,” Castro said. “What’s painful is that we Filipinos sometimes tear down our own while lifting up the attractions of other countries.”
The San Juanico Bridge, built during the Marcos Sr. administration, remains a longstanding landmark in Eastern Visayas. Recent government efforts have aimed to boost its appeal by rehabilitating the structure and installing lighting features to enhance its night-time visibility.