State of Calamity Proposed for San Juanico Bridge Amid Load Restrictions
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has advised the President to declare a state of calamity in Eastern Visayas due to the logistical and economic difficulties caused by the load restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge. This key infrastructure is vital for the region’s connectivity and commerce, and the current limitations have significantly disrupted normal operations.
OCD officials emphasized that declaring a state of calamity would speed up the release of necessary funds, allowing for the immediate repair of the San Juanico Bridge. According to sources, such action would help restore essential logistics and public services critical to the region’s economy. “The sooner that we repair the San Juanico Bridge, the sooner that our commerce, supplies, and logistics will be back to normal,” stated an official familiar with the situation.
San Juanico Bridge Load Restrictions Impacting Economy
The San Juanico Bridge has been partially closed to motorists following the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) imposition of a three-ton weight limit on May 14. This measure was taken after engineering assessments revealed significant deterioration, including corrosion and structural damage. As a result, a state of emergency has already been declared in Samar province.
Serving as a vital segment of the Maharlika Highway, the bridge supports daily transit for over 14,000 vehicles, including nearly 1,400 heavy vehicles. The restrictions have left more than 200 vehicles stranded and are expected to cause economic losses estimated between P300 million and P600 million monthly.
Measures Taken to Mitigate Disruptions
Authorities have implemented several alternative arrangements to ease the impact of the load restrictions. These include increasing roll-on/roll-off vessel operations, reopening old ports, and providing free passenger transport support. Despite these efforts, officials acknowledge these solutions might not be enough to prevent additional costs for suppliers, which could lead to higher prices for consumers.
“The declaration will enable us to access the appropriate funds for the bridge repair. We can also fix the other ports for additional options to maintain connectivity between Samar and Leyte,” community leaders said.
Funding and Coordination for Rehabilitation
The DPWH remains responsible for determining the required budget for the bridge’s rehabilitation. Once the necessary amount is identified, the OCD will review and endorse the request to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) before it reaches the Office of the President.
In addition, the OCD has coordinated with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to implement a price freeze on basic goods to mitigate supply chain disruptions. Officials are also exploring subsidies to ease the burdens on affected communities and businesses.
For more news and updates on San Juanico Bridge load restrictions, visit Filipinokami.com.