Free Ro-Ro trips start for trucks crossing Samar, Leyte islands

LIGHT AND SAFE Only light vehicles, like cars, vans and motorcycles, are allowed to pass through San Juanico Bridge as the government prepares to rehabilitate the 52-year-old link between Samar and Leyte islands. Delivery trucks and other heavy vehicles have been asked to use roll on, roll off (Ro-Ro) vessels after the government imposed a 3-ton load limit on the bridge. —PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTO

TACLOBAN CITY—Delivery trucks stranded due to load restrictions implemented on San Juanico Bridge can avail of free roll on, roll off (Ro-Ro) transport services starting Wednesday.

The Libreng Sakay program, an initiative of the Regional Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell–Task Force San Juanico (RIACC-TFSJ) led by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Eastern Visayas region, is intended to ensure the uninterrupted transport of essential and perishable goods between the islands of Leyte and Samar.

“Through the chartering of a dedicated Ro-Ro vessel, the RIACC-TFSJ ensures the continuous flow of food, medicines, fuel, and other vital supplies, thereby supporting regional food security, market stability, and public welfare,” the OCD said in an advisory released on Tuesday.

The free transport service will operate between the Port of Amandayehan in Basey town, Samar, and Tacloban City Port in Leyte.

The vessels that will be used to transport these cargo trucks under the program have been given permits by the Maritime Industry Authority.

No empty vehicles

The OCD clarified that only trucks and vehicles already loaded with essential or perishable goods at the point of departure will be allowed to avail of the service.

“Empty trucks or those merely in transit to pick up cargo are not covered under this program,” the advisory said.

PORT VIEW President Marcos is briefed by Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan during an inspection of Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar, on June 11. Trucks transporting essential goods and supplies can now take free roll on, roll off (Ro-Ro) trips through Amandayehan and Tacloban City port in Leyte as part of a solution to ease congestion due to the load limit imposed on San Juanico Bridge. —PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTO

Qualified cargo includes food and water, medicines, animal feed, fuel and other perishable or critical supplies.

Government and humanitarian vehicles on official duty carrying relief or disaster response goods are also eligible as well as private suppliers or traders of essential goods endorsed by local governments, said the RIACC-TFSJ of the OCD.

Registration form

To avail of the free Ro-Ro service, operators must present a completed registration form issued by the OCD, vehicle registration documents, and a cargo manifest clearly indicating the essential or perishable items being transported.

The initiative was launched in response to the ongoing traffic and logistical disruptions caused by the 3-ton weight limit imposed on San Juanico Bridge starting May 15.

The restriction, implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways, follows the discovery of structural defects on the 2.16-kilometer bridge—a critical link between Leyte and Samar.

The Libreng Sakay program, according to the OCD, aims to lessen the burden on cargo haulers and ensure the continuous flow of goods amid the partial closure of the bridge.