BASEY, SAMAR—Acknowledging the critical need for restoring the San Juanico Bridge connecting Samar and Leyte, President Marcos has proclaimed a state of calamity in Eastern Visayas. This declaration will enable the administration to access available resources and expedite the bridge’s reconstruction.
Proclamation Number 920, signed on June 5, stated that the state of calamity in the area would last for one year "and can be lifted sooner or prolonged based on how situations develop."
“The immediate requirement to fix and rejuvenate the San Juanico Bridge is crucial for ensuring the prompt delivery of vital commodities and services, as well as restoring inter-regional connectivity,” the official directive emphasized.
In last month, the San Juanico Bridge underwent partial closure for vehicles due to new weight restrictions placed on the bridge. This led to difficulties in moving crucial items such as farm products, edibles, pharmaceuticals, building materials, and petroleum between Leyte and Samar.
The declaration of a state of calamity will “hasten the repair and rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge and afford the national government as well as local governments ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds for the repair and safety upgrading” of the said bridge.
Malacañang released Proclamation 920 shortly before the President's examination of the 2.16-kilometer bridge on Wednesday.
The NDRRMC suggested declaring a state of calamity in Eastern Visayas due to the increasing hazards resulting from substantial damage to the San Juanico Bridge.
Transport priority
On Wednesday, following his inspection of the 52-year-old bridge, Mr. Marcos stated that the administration will implement a system to give priority to the transportation of perishable items during the bridge’s rehabilitation period.
This involves deploying more roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships capable of carrying around 50 vehicles simultaneously. The aim is to transport approximately 500 vessels, such as cargo trucks, between Leyte and Samar each day.
"We will begin nighttime navigation as well, allowing them to traverse the islands during the evening hours. This is how we aim to address the issue," he stated.
He highlighted that Tacloban City in Leyte serves as a hub for trade and has been significantly impacted by the partial shutdown of the bridge.
"These are the mitigating measures we are attempting to implement...That's why I'm urging the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) to provide us with a timetable for repairs," stated Mr. Marcos.
In reply, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan stated that the weight restrictions on the bridge might slowly increase as December draws closer and repair work continues.
"We will progressively fix the 3-ton sections followed by the 4-ton and 5-ton portions. Ultimately, we aim to finish the 12-ton section prior to December. Buses and small trucks carrying perishable items will be permitted," he informed the President.
Pending the completion of the new bridge connecting the two islands, Bonoan mentioned that the refurbishment of San Juanico might be finished within one year.
According to the NDRRMC, the repair costs might reach up to PHP 7 billion, whereas the monthly economic losses due to its partial shutdown could amount to PHP 600 million.
Regular maintenance
The President stated that the decline of San Juanico was partially due to the lack of regular inspections and maintenance of the bridge over the last several decades.
President Marcos mentioned that the government had originally intended to refurbish the bridge. However, he was taken aback by how extensively corroded it had become as a result of prolonged exposure to the environment.
"Numerous people are questioning why this wasn't better organized. In reality, we did have a rehabilitation strategy for the San Juanico Bridge. Upon inspection of the structure by the DPWH to identify sections requiring repair, they discovered several areas that were already critically compromised. As a result, the engineers promptly advised closing it since it could collapse without warning," stated the President.
President Marcos stated that the San Juanico Bridge should have been inspected and maintained at regular intervals, specifically every three years. This bridge was finished in 1973 when his father, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was in office.
Perhaps back when my father was around, it was still well-kept. However, it appears that hasn’t been the case since 1986," the President stated. "Had the bridge been adequately maintained over the past five decades, we wouldn’t be discussing this now.