Hi, hopefully this link will give you more info 1. It was once called Marcos Bridge because it was built under his administration. During the mid 1960’s President Ferdinand Marcos made the decision to erect the San Juanico Bridge (aka “Marcos Bridge”) over San Juanico Strait from Brgy. Cabalawan, Tacloban City, Leyte, 10 KM away from the city proper (then Leyte Capital) to the Municipality of Sta. Rita, Western Samar, 96 KM from Catbalogan City (Samar Capital). The said project was awarded to the Construction and Development Corporation of the Philippines in 1968. It was in that very year too that they started to conduct a detailed survey, study and analysis with the help of some Japanese engineers. In August 1969, the actual construction began and the Bridge was completed in December 1972. 2. It was also dubbed “The Bridge of Love”. As the late Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos dedicated it to his wife, Imelda who was known as the “Rose of Tacloban“. It served as a birthday gift and testimonial of his love for her. The groundbreaking ceremony was done during the then first lady and now Ilocos Norte’s Representative Imelda Marcos’ birthday. Pres. Marcos even called it as his most important gift to his wife. 3. It’s part of the Maharlika Highway. San Juanico Bridge was constructed as part of the Pan-Philippine Highway (commonly known as the Maharlika Highway), a network of roads, bridges, and sea routes that connect the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao in the country. The highway was proposed in 1965, and constructed under the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos to serve as the country’s backbone of transportation. The Pan-Philippine Highway was also designated as Asian Highway (AH-26) under the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network, a treaty took effect on July 4, 2005 to provide a framework for coordinated development of the international highways in Asia. Have you seen the sign AH-26 along our highway lately? Now you know what it means. San Juanico Bridge new image 4. It shows my initials (L&S). If you look at the bridge from aerial or bird’s eye view, you can make out a shape of the letter “L” on the part near Leyte and “S” on the part going to Samar Province. 5. The $21.9 million worth of bridge was completed within four years of construction. This length of construction of this mega structure is way shorter compared to still unfinished roads in Samar. San Juanico Strait 6. It crosses the narrowest strait in the Philippines. San Juanico strait, which connects the islands of Samar and Leyte, is the narrowest strait in the Philippines with only two kilometers (2,000 meters) wide at its narrowest point. It is also said to be the narrowest in the world. However, Bosphorus strait, a strait that forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia, is less than 800 meters wide at its narrowest point. 7. It is still considered the longest bridge in the Philippines. Although the Candaba Via duct in the province of Pampanga is longer, it’s not generally accepted because the latter is a land bridge crossing only a few streams and ponds. 8. A brave action star jumped off San Juanico Bridge in 1981. Directed by Carlo J. Caparas, Hari ng Stunt, shoot the most daring stunt done by Dante Varona to prove that he was the king of stunts in the Philippines. San Juanico Bridge going up 9. The bridge remains strong and operational even after the rampage of Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. Despite of the damages it incurred during the plight of super typhoon Yolanda, it still served as the primary means of the people from Samar who wanted to check on their relatives in Tacloban City. 10. P30, 000 to P35, 000 worth of bronze electrical wiring of the bridge were stolen from the bridge and reported missing in February 17, 2014. The bridge remained dark for a few nights after the incident, now the lights are back but the case remains unsolved (source: Manila Bulletin). San Juanico Bridge Photo Up to this day, the bridge remains to be the main gateway of Eastern Visayas. It has attracted a lot of tourists from all over the world because of the magnificent view it offers. And it remains strong despite of its age and countless typhoons that have visited the country specially Region VIII. Some say that it was because of the rituals done during the construction of the bridge.

From Downtown Tacloban, look for a multicab bound to St.Pauls Campetic via Marasbaras. Tell the driver that you'll be dropped off at Philippine Science High School. You'll be dropped accross Phil.Sci so you have to cross the highway towards the school. Then go to the BIR side. It's just beside the school. There are pedicab going to MacArthur. Not sure if the fare is still 10 pesos per head.

We caught a jeepney back into Tacloban.

Hire a tricycle so you can experience all the sights and sounds. Do not do it during rush hours. I would suggest Saturday or Sunday. Or any night after 7 pm. The going rates are around 100 to 150 pesos from the city to San Juanico bridge. Piece of advice.... the nicer looking the tricycle the quieter and smoother the ride :)