Samar declares state of emergency due to San Juanico bridge detours

SET FOR REHAB The 52-year-old San Juanico Bridge linking the islands of Samar and Leyte is up for major rehabilitation, prompting the Department of Public Works and Highways to restrict the passage of trucks and other heavy vehicles. A section of the 2.16-kilometer bridge is shown in this 2023 photo. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

TACLOBAN CITY—The Samar provincial board on Tuesday declared a state of emergency across the province in response to the vehicle restrictions affecting the iconic San Juanico Bridge.

The declaration, based on the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chaired by Gov. Sharee Ann Tan, will allow the provincial government to tap its quick response fund to ease the economic and logistical impact of the vehicle weight limit now in place on the 52-year-old bridge that links the province to Leyte.

According to Vice Gov. Arnold Tan, the declaration aims to “proactively address” the potential adverse impact of the three-ton weight limit imposed on vehicles crossing the San Juanico Bridge due to recently discovered structural issues.

READ: Samar under state of emergency due to San Juanico Bridge limit

“One of the possible scenarios we foresee is a fuel shortage or a spike in fuel prices,” Tan, the presiding officer of the provincial board, told reporters in Catbalogan City, the provincial capital.

“And you know very well that if there is an increase in fuel cost, the prices of essential goods will also go up,” he added.

Among the options being considered by the provincial government is to request assistance from the national government for the provision of a vessel that can transport fuel, medical supplies, and other essential goods directly to Samar.

The provincial government, Vice Governor Tan said, is willing to subsidize the cost of fuel for the vessel to help ensure the continuous supply of necessities amid the limited access caused by the bridge restriction.

However, he did not disclose how much funding would be allocated for this purpose.

San Juanico Bridge, which spans 2.16 kilometers, connects Samar and Leyte via Santa Rita town.

Major repairs

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Eastern Visayas imposed a strict temporary weight limit on vehicles crossing the bridge starting May 14 as it prepares for major repairs expected to last up to two years.

Only vehicles with a gross weight of less than 3 metric tons, such as motorcycles and cars, are allowed to pass through the bridge’s centerline to minimize stress on its deteriorating outer girders.

“All 42 spans of the bridge require major repairs. The steel components are corroding, and the bridge no longer meets standard load-bearing capacity,” said Margarita Junia, DPWH assistant regional director for Eastern Visayas.

The needed repairs, she said, are projected to cost around P900 million.

Completed in 1973 during the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. as a gift to first lady Imelda Marcos, San Juanico Bridge is a vital link between Samar and Leyte Islands and a key segment of the Maharlika Highway, connecting Eastern Visayas to the rest of the country.

READ: Samar boat traffic surges as San Juanico Bridge divert commuters

Hours after the restriction was implemented, long lines of trucks and buses were seen on both sides of the bridge, with many passengers forced to disembark and walk.

In Calbayog City, Mayor Raymund Uy said the city was preparing for the possible effects of the restrictions, particularly on fuel supply and pricing.

Subsidies

While local gasoline station owners have assured adequate fuel stocks, Uy acknowledged the possibility of price increases.

“Whenever there is an increase in fuel prices, the cost of other commodities tends to follow,” the mayor said.

To cushion the impact, the city government is prepared to offer fuel subsidies to public transport operators to avoid any fare hikes.

Uy also assured residents of a sufficient supply of chicken and meat products in the city.

In Catbalogan City, some stores, particularly those dependent on deliveries of perishable goods like meat and poultry, were reported to have temporarily closed or raised prices, heightening public concern.

To address the disruption in cargo transport, authorities are now using barges and roll-on, roll-off vessels to ferry heavy vehicles and goods between Samar and Leyte.

The Philippine Ports Authority has designated several alternate seaports for cargo diversion.

In Leyte, these include Tacloban, Palompon, Calubian, Hilongos, Biliran and Maasin. In Samar, the alternate ports are in Calbayog, Catbalogan, and Maguino-o.

Shipping operators, such as ALD Sea Transport and SEEN SAM Shipping, have already started servicing these temporary routes to help ease the supply chain backlog.

The DPWH has appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid taking advantage of the situation.

The agency stressed that the restrictions were necessary to ensure public safety and prevent further damage to this vital infrastructure. INQ