Marcos asked: Declare ‘calamity’ in E. Visayas over bridge ‘crisis’

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE The Amadayehan port in Basey, Samar, shown here on May 30, is being prepared to open in two weeks to address the increasing number of stranded truckers due to the current load limitations at the San Juanico Bridge. The port will serve "as an alternative route to ensure the continued flow of goods and essential services across Eastern Visayas," said the Office of Civil Defense-Eastern Visayas (OCD-8) in a Facebook post. —OCD-8/FACEBOOK

TACLOBAN CITY – The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has recommended to President Marcos to declare a state of calamity in the entire Eastern Visayas region due to the widespread economic and logistical disruptions following the load restrictions imposed on the San Juanico Bridge.

The NDRRMC, in its Resolution No. 01, cited findings from the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which revealed significant structural damage to the iconic bridge, prompting authorities to enforce a strict 3-ton vehicle load limit starting last May 15.

The council convened key agencies on May 23 and determined that the situation met the criteria for a state of calamity under NDRRMC Memorandum Order No. 60, Series of 2019—particularly the disruption of lifeline infrastructure and the severe effect on livelihoods.

“[We resolve] to recommend to His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. the declaration of a state of calamity in Eastern Visayas to expedite the release of necessary funds and facilitate immediate repair and rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge,” read the resolution signed by Defense Secretary and NDRRMC chairperson Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Three local governments – Tacloban City and the provinces of Samar and Eastern Samar – have already placed their localities in a state of emergency due to impact of the bridge’s load limit to their economies.

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Governors Sharee Ann Tan of Samar and Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar have welcomed the national government’s swift action on the matter.

Critical artery

The bridge, completed in 1972, is the only permanent land connection between the islands of Samar and Leyte.

It serves as a critical artery for the transport of goods, services, and people along the Pan-Philippine Highway, linking Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The restriction on heavy vehicles, including cargo trucks, has caused a logistical bottleneck and severely hampered the delivery of food, medicine, construction materials, and other essential supplies.

The NDRRMC estimated the economic losses to be between P300 million and P600 million monthly with over 200 cargo vehicles now stranded daily.

The resolution also noted that about 1,400 vehicles use the San Juanico Bridge every day, with cargo trucks accounting for 10 percent of this volume.

The bridge’s limited capacity has forced the use of insufficient alternative routes, such as roll on, roll off (ro-ro) vessels, which have failed to meet the region’s transport demands.

The NDRRMC also raised the alarm over disrupted healthcare deliveries and the adverse impact on local agriculture, fisheries, and commercial trade.

The estimated cost for the full repair and rehabilitation of the bridge is pegged at P7 billion, and delays in funding could worsen the crisis.