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Measures are in place to address disruption caused by the temporary weight limit restriction at San Juanico Bridge, various government agencies said
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The Maritime Industry Authority is expediting issuance of permits to shipping lines applying for new routes
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Holding areas for affected heavy vehicles have been designated
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Assistance to affected travelers such as provision of tents and portable toilets as well as free transport/ride across the San Juanico Bridge are also being provided
Measures are in place to address disruption caused by the temporary weight limit restriction at San Juanico Bridge, various government agencies said.
All vehicles exceeding the 3-ton gross weight limit are barred from using San Juanico bridge to make way for a nearly two-year, P900-million rehabilitation to deal with the bridge’s structural integrity. The development has affected transport connectivity between Samar and Leyte.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), in a coordination meeting conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 8 on May 16, said it is expediting the issuance of permits to shipping lines applying for new routes.
One qualified shipping company has already secured a permit to operate from Calbayog-Ormoc Port and vice versa, DPWH Region 8 said in a social media post.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has finalized operational ports that can be used instead of the San Juanico Bridge.
In Leyte, these ports include in Tacloban, Ormoc, Palompon, Calubian, and Hilongos.
Ports in Samar are in Calbayog, Manguinoo, and Catbalogan. Other ports that are operational are Biliran port, Naval port and Maasin port in Southern Leyte.
DPWH Region 8 said the meeting also served as an avenue to push development of ports that can be used for rolling cargoes in the near future. Present were representatives from truckers’ association, logistics companies, bus lines, as well as representatives from shipping companies willing to operate the Samar-Leyte nautical route.
DPWH Region 8 said those involved in the traffic management have been deployed onsite, namely the Land Transportation Office, Traffic Management Operations Management and Control Office, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, DPWH personnel, and with help from the local government units (LGU).
Holding areas for affected heavy vehicles, and assistance to affected travelers such as provision of tents and portable toilets as well as free transport/ride across the San Juanico Bridge are also being provided.
In a separate post, PPA said its Port Management Office of Western Leyte/Biliran joined an emergency meeting on May 17 called by the Ormoc LGU to discuss possible traffic issues during the temporary weight limit implementation at San Juanico Bridge.
One of the issues raised was the increase in the number of trucks and volume of rolling cargoes passing through Ormoc City following the rollout of a new service from ALD Sea Transport at the private port of GGC Group Inc. to Calbayog, Samar.
During the meeting, it was agreed to that truck staging areas outside the city proper will be provided to prevent heavy traffic and illegal parking of trucks. Three truck stages have been identified, two are in Barangay Salvacion (Molina’s parking and Maonong’s parking) and one in Barangay Valencia (GD Gantuangco’s parking).
Trucks will only be allowed to enter the GCG private port if they have a confirmed trip and complete documents. They must only pass designated routes.
Palace press officer and Presidential Communications Office undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro, in a Malacañang briefing on May 19, said public assistance desks on both sides of the bridge will be established while a 24-hour patrol unit has been deployed for safety monitoring.
Weighing stations will also be installed to ensure vehicle weight compliance.
Moreover, Castro said DPWH has promised to deploy 13 shuttle buses on a 24/7 service to help affected passengers.
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban-Leyte, Inc. president Eugene Tan in an earlier radio interview warned of supply chain disruptions leading to possible shortages and higher prices of goods in the region due to the cost of freight using Ro-Ro vessels. He expressed hopes the repairs may be fast-tracked.
The entire Eastern Visayas region was placed under blue alert status on May 16 by the Regional Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) because of the bridge repairs.
Under the blue alert status, all regional response teams and assets must be on standby for possible deployment to areas affected by load limit restrictions. Agencies may use their respective quick response funds for the purpose.
