TACLOBAN CITY – A multi-million State of the Nation Address (SoNA) project that President Macapagal Arroyo wanted finished on or before December 30 this year is the P1.24-billion road from the town of San Isidro to the town of Lope de Vega in the 1st congressional district of Northern Samar.

The San Isidro-Lope De Vega Road project is a 44.25-kilometer road opening that includes the construction of nine Bailey bridges. It will start from Barangay Balite in San Isidro along the Catarman-Calbayog Road, traversing mountainous terrain, and ending in Barangay Bonifacio in Lope De Vega.

Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Director Angelito M. Twaño said the cross-country road opening has already been started with the release of P40 million to the Northern Samar 1st Engineering District Office, which completed two sections of the road span.

“On our part (Regional Office), we have P70 million worth to add to the two P20 million of the District Office. However, we have a pending P165-million section that is already bidded out but there is no release yet,” Twaño said.

“In order to fulfill the wishes of the President, we have to work 24/7 to finish the project, but of course it will depend on the availability of the budget and also of the weather condition,” he added.