TACLOBAN CITY—On Tuesday, the Samar provincial board announced a statewide emergency in reaction to the limitations imposed on vehicles using the famous San Juanico Bridge.
The proclamation, following the suggestion of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), led by Governor Sharee Ann Tan, will enable the provincial administration to access its emergency funds. This move aims to alleviate the financial and operational challenges resulting from the new restrictions on vehicle weights imposed on the 52-year-old bridge connecting the province with Leyte.
As per Vice Governor Arnold Tan, the proclamation seeks to "anticipate and mitigate" the possible negative effects caused by the new three-ton weight restriction for vehicles using the San Juanico Bridge following recent findings about its structural problems.
READ: Samar is under a state of emergency because of restrictions at the San Juanico Bridge.
"One potential situation we anticipate is either a lack of fuel supply or a significant increase in fuel costs," said Tan, who heads the provincial board, to journalists in Catbalogan City, which serves as the province’s main city.
"And you're fully aware that if the price of fuel goes up, the costs of basic necessities will rise as well," he said additionally.
One of the possibilities being looked at by the provincial administration involves asking the central government for help in acquiring a ship capable of delivering fuel, medical provisions, and other crucial items straight to Samar.
Vice Governor Tan stated that the provincial government is ready to provide subsidies for the ship’s fuel costs. This initiative aims to maintain an uninterrupted supply of essentials despite the restricted accessibility due to the bridge limitations.
Nevertheless, he didn’t reveal the amount of funding designated for this initiative.
The San Juanico Bridge stretches for 2.16 kilometers and links Samar with Leyte through the municipality of Santa Rita.
Major repairs
Starting from May 14, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Eastern Visayas has enforced a rigorous provisional restriction on vehicle weights traversing the bridge. This measure is being taken as they prepare for significant repair work anticipated to span up to two years.
Vehicles with a total weight under 3 metric tons, including motorcycles and cars, are permitted to cross the bridge’s middle line to reduce strain on its weakening exterior supports.
"All 42 sections of the bridge necessitate significant renovations. The metal parts are rusting, and the structure now fails to meet the required weight-support standards," stated Margarita Junia, who serves as the DPWH assistant regional director for Eastern Visayas.
She mentioned that the estimated cost for the required repairs is approximately P900 million.
Finished in 1973 under the leadership of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., intended as a present for his wife Imelda Marcos, the San Juanico Bridge serves as an essential connection between Samar and Leyte islands. It also forms a critical part of the Maharlika Highway, linking Eastern Visayas with the remainder of the nation.
READ: Samar sees increase in boat traffic as San Juanico Bridge diverts commuters
A few hours following the enforcement of the restriction, lengthy queues of trucks and buses appeared on either side of the bridge, resulting in numerous passengers having to get off and walk instead.
Mayor Raymund Uy of Calbayog City mentioned that the municipality is getting ready for potential impacts of the limitations, specifically concerning the availability and cost of fuel.
Subsidies
Even though local gasoline station proprietors have guaranteed sufficient fuel supplies, Uy admitted that price hikes remain a possibility.
The mayor stated, “Every time fuel prices go up, we usually see the costs of other goods rise as well.”
In order to soften the blow, the municipal authorities plan to provide fuel subsidies to public transportation providers to prevent any increases in fares.
Uy also guaranteed an adequate stock of poultry and meat items for the city dwellers.
In Catbalogan City, several shops, especially those reliant on fresh items such as meat and poultry for their deliveries, reportedly shut down briefly or increased their prices, which escalated public worry.
To cope with the interruption in cargo transportation, officials are now employing barges and roll-on, roll-off ships to transfer large vehicles and items between Samar and Leyte.
The Philippine Ports Authority has identified multiple alternative sea ports for diverting cargo.
In Leyte, these consist of Tacloban, Palompon, Calubian, Hilongos, Biliran, and Maasin. For Samar, the alternative ports are located in Calbayog, Catbalogan, and Maguino-o.
Shipping companies like ALD Sea Transport and SEEN SAM Shipping have begun operating these provisional routes to alleviate the supply chain congestion.
The DPWH has asked everyone to stay calm and not to take advantage of the circumstances.
The agency emphasized that these limitations were crucial for maintaining public safety and averting additional harm to this critical infrastructure. INQ