By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Eastern Visayas has joined forces with local government units and key stakeholders to safeguard the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) as the newly developed Basey–Maydolong Road opens greater access between Samar and Eastern Samar.
The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on July 8 by the provincial governments of Samar and Eastern Samar, the municipal governments of Basey and Maydolong, and other participating agencies. The agreement establishes a coordinated framework for protecting the forest reserve while ensuring the responsible management of the road that cuts across one of the country’s most ecologically important protected landscapes.
DENR Eastern Visayas Regional Executive Director Arturo Salazar said the agreement reflects a collective commitment to pursue infrastructure development without sacrificing environmental integrity.
“The Basey–Maydolong Road is a vital transport link for our communities, but it also traverses the Samar Island Natural Park, one of the nation’s most valuable biodiversity areas,” Salazar said. “This partnership demonstrates that development and conservation can move forward together through responsible governance and strong collaboration.”
Under the agreement, participating agencies committed to strengthening inter-agency coordination, adopting sustainable road management practices, and implementing measures that will minimize environmental impacts while maintaining safe public access.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has so far released P1.73 billion for the opening and concreting of 57 kilometers of the planned 70-kilometer Basey–Maydolong Road, a major infrastructure project expected to significantly reduce travel time between Tacloban City and Borongan City.
According to the DPWH, the amount represents funding released from mid-2016 through May 2026 out of the project’s total estimated cost of P3.16 billion.
Over the past decade, the project has resulted in the completion of 30.2 kilometers of paved roadway on the Eastern Samar side and 26.8 kilometers on the Samar side, bringing the long-envisioned inter-provincial road closer to full completion.
Officials said the project is expected to enhance connectivity, promote economic activity, and improve access to essential services, while the newly signed environmental partnership aims to ensure that these benefits are achieved without compromising the ecological integrity of the Samar Island Natural Park.
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