SIPPAD leads SIMORA thanksgiving caravan

Published on: May 15, 2023

Updated as of May 16, 2023 6:16 am

By Ailene Diaz

CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) -- The Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) recently held a thanksgiving caravan for the nearing completion of SIMORA road connecting the three provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.

The initiative started with SIMORA Walk in the year 2017, a collective action, an appeal to all concerned to be vigilant as it calls for the government and contractors to launch and hasten the completion of the said road network.

The SIMORA road or the Samar Pacific Coastal Road (SPCR) project started its work on May 13, 2018 with a revised project cost of P1.241 billion covering the construction and improvement of 18.647 kilometers road and three bridges measuring 261 meters (Simora Bridge - 161 meters, Jangtud 1 Bridge – 31 meters, and Jangtud 2 Bridge – 69 meters).

Engineer Chistian Gadon, construction manager of ILSUNG Construction Company said as of April 25, 2023, the project accomplishment status was at 85% covering PCCP 97%, Simora Bridge at 98%, Jangtud 1 Bridge at 99%, and Jangtud 2 Bridge at 90%.

The contract implementation was effective May 13, 2018 with original completion date on March 12, 2020 and revised completion date on June 2023. The delay of the construction and the revision and extension was due to weather condition supported by a rainfall summary report validated by PAGASA.

The thanksgiving caravan started with a Holy Eucharist at the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, presided by Most. Rev. Emmanuel C. Trance of the Diocese of Catarman, Most Rev. Crispin Varquez of the Diocese of Borongan and Most Rev. Isabelo Abarquez of the Diocese of Calbayog represented by Msgr. Niceas Abejuela with other clergy from the three dioceses.

A short program followed, then a Thanksgiving Caravan along the long stretch of Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project led by SIMORA Walkers and participated in by the local government of Palapag, Bishops and the Clergy, media, barangays officials, and community people and representatives from nearby towns.

The SPCR Palapag-Simora road project is under the multisectoral Unified Project Management Office – Road Management Cluster II (UPMO-PMC II) of the Department of Public Works and Highways. (MMP/ADiaz/PIA Northern Samar). (MMP/ADiaz/PIA Northern Samar)