Samar port opens for trucks banned on San Juanico

FILE PHOTO: Few vehicles are now traversing the San Juanico Bridge, shown here on May 23, from its usual 14,000 vehicles per day traffic, after a 3-ton load limit was imposed starting on May 15, affecting the flow of commerce between the islands of Leyte and Samar. —PHOTO COURTESY OF PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY-EASTERN VISAYAS

BASEY, SAMAR—After more than three weeks of waiting, a port in this town officially started operations, allowing cargo trucks to be loaded onto vessels bound for Tacloban City and other parts of Leyte province amid load restrictions on San Juanico Bridge.

The Amandayehan Port began operations on June 7 with 18 cargo trucks boarding a roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) vessel owned by Santa Clara Shipping Corp., one of four shipping companies granted operational permits.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon visited the port on Sunday to observe the initial operations.

He said the government was planning to increase the number of ro-ro trips to address the congestion of cargo trucks. Only 10 trips are currently available daily, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Slow response

“But we will double this with the help of the (Philippine) Coast Guard, allowing night trips. We will install nighttime buoys by Wednesday,” he said in an interview, adding that the goal is to operate 24 hours daily.

Given that the rehabilitation of San Juanico Bridge could take at least three years, Dizon also announced plans to build an additional ramp at Amandayehan Port to accommodate more vessels.

He admitted that the government’s response had been relatively slow, but stressed that action was being taken to help affected sectors, particularly trucks carrying essential goods and fuel.

“It’s slow but at least there’s progress. This situation happened suddenly. We were all surprised. We just need to find ways to help everyone. For me, the trucks are critical because they carry food, fuel and other essentials,” Dizon said.

The cargo trucks would be loaded onto the waiting vessels on a “first come, first served” basis although those carrying essentials would be given priority. Fare ranges from P1,500 to P6,000, depending on the type of trucks.

Dizon said the Department of Transportation is also looking into using other ports, such as those in Carigara, Babatngon and Tolosa towns, all in Leyte.

During the maiden voyage on Saturday, Khalil Lamigo, port manager of the Philippine Ports Authority in Eastern Visayas, said that for now, operations would only run from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. due to the lack of navigational equipment in the area.