The national government has committed PHP3.97 billion towards the development of the Tacloban Causeway, a project aimed at creating a more direct route from the city center to the airport, according to a recent announcement by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday. This significant investment is part of a broader effort to improve infrastructure in the region.
Edgar Tabacon, Director of DPWH-Eastern Visayas, detailed that the project’s total budget requirement stands at PHP4.77 billion, with allocations spread across the national budgets of 2022, 2024, and 2025. Specifically, PHP880 million was allocated in 2022, PHP1.92 billion in 2024, and PHP1.17 billion in the current year. To date, PHP2.68 billion of the budget has been obligated, with PHP528.6 million already disbursed.
The construction progress of the causeway, which spans from Magsaysay Boulevard to the airport complex over Cancabato Bay, has reached 20.42 percent completion using the funds from 2022 and 2024. The causeway, a pioneering project in Eastern Visayas, will not only serve as an alternative route for motorists traveling from the commercial district to the airport but also aims to reduce travel distance, time, and vehicle operating costs.
The design of the causeway includes a four-lane road embankment stretching approximately 2.56 kilometers, featuring a central bridge, dedicated bike lanes, concrete canals, sidewalks, and wave deflectors on both sides. This infrastructure will complement the planned new airport terminal, which is designed to handle international flights.
Beyond its role as a transportation link, the causeway is expected to protect local communities from destructive waves. Director Tabacon emphasized the project’s broader goals, stating, “This project aims to reduce travel time from the city proper to the airport from approximately 45 minutes to just 10 minutes. Our vision extends beyond mere infrastructure; we aim to attract tourists and investments to Tacloban.”