The proposed Luzon-Visayas fixed link—whether built as a bridge or an undersea tunnel—is expected to proceed as a foreign-assisted project (FAP), tapping financing and oversight from institutions such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan said this week.
“We are counting on foreign development partners such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help finance and oversee the tunnel or bridge project to insulate it from political interference and corruption,” Libanan said in a news release.
“The project is envisioned to follow the FAP model. This will ensure discipline, transparency, and foreign donor scrutiny from day one,” he added.
Libanan said the urgency of a permanent link between Luzon and the Visayas was underscored anew by severe congestion at the Port of Matnog in Sorsogon during the Christmas and New Year travel rush, when the roll-on, roll-off ferry system was overwhelmed.
“The bottleneck at Matnog is not just an inconvenience—it is a structural weakness in our national transport network. Every holiday season, the same problem repeats itself, disrupting mobility, trade, and emergency access between Luzon and the Visayas,” he said.
The proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act—expected to be signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in early January—allocates ₱130 million for a feasibility study of the Luzon–Visayas bridge or tunnel project.
The fixed link would span roughly 28 kilometers across the San Bernardino Strait, connecting Sorsogon and Northern Samar, and is intended to ensure uninterrupted movement of people and goods, unlike ferry services that are often suspended due to weather.
“Foreign-assisted projects are designed with built-in safeguards. Donor agencies impose strict procurement rules, require independent technical and financial reviews, and release funds only after verifiable milestones are met,” Libanan explained.
“FAPs are widely regarded as among the cleanest forms of infrastructure spending. The presence of international donors creates a double layer of accountability. Every peso is tracked, every contract is scrutinized, and every delay or deviation is questioned,” he added.
As precedents, Libanan cited the Metro Manila Subway Project and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, both implemented under Japanese ODA standards.
“These projects demonstrate that when donor safeguards are in place, infrastructure can be delivered efficiently, transparently, and with public confidence,” he said.