Governor Calls for Emergency Declaration Amid Bridge Load Limit
Tacloban City is currently facing significant challenges due to the recent load limit imposed on the San Juanico Bridge. This restriction has disrupted the transport of goods, particularly affecting Samar province’s economy and essential supplies. Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan has urged Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez to declare a state of calamity or emergency to address the worsening situation.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the governor stressed the gravity of the issue, stating, “Though this is not much of a concern in Tacloban, maybe few of the businesses have declined, but for Samar side, it is not just the businesses that are affected, even the essential needs are affected.” She added, “So I am asking Mayor Alfred to be humane enough, to declare a state of calamity, a state of emergency in Tacloban, to help the province of Samar and or somehow the entire island of Samar.”
Economic Losses and Transport Challenges in Samar
The limited capacity at Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar, further complicates the transport issues. Local experts report that this port can only handle a small volume of goods, which slows down distribution and increases costs. The governor highlighted the urgent need to build an additional docking area to ease the burden on existing infrastructure.
By declaring a state of emergency in Tacloban City, the national government would gain the authority to expedite necessary projects. This includes bypassing the usual procurement protocols, especially through agencies like the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), to quickly implement solutions.
Financial Impact on Samar’s Economy and Agriculture
The economic damage is already substantial. Reports indicate that the province loses between P10 million and P20 million monthly due to the restricted flow of goods. Moreover, the agricultural sector suffers an estimated loss of P300 million every month as farmers and traders struggle to transport their produce to Leyte.
Recognizing these challenges, the Samar Provincial Council passed a resolution on May 20 declaring the entire province under a state of emergency. This move aims to anticipate and mitigate the negative effects caused by the ongoing repairs and load restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge.
City Officials Seek Additional Assessment on Bridge Condition
Meanwhile, Mayor Romualdez has called for a second opinion regarding the bridge’s structural assessment. He questions the necessity of constructing a new port facility when two existing ports managed by the PPA are already operational nearby. “We have the ports, why build another one? We already have two ports there by PPA. One needs a small rehabilitation but it’s not much, it’s just minor,” he remarked during a recent press briefing.
Local community leaders emphasize the importance of careful planning and coordination between Tacloban City and Samar Province to ensure that transport and economic activities can resume smoothly and sustainably.
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