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More than P500 million has been allocated to increase San Juanico Bridge’s current three-ton load limit to 12 tons by December, according to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr
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Marcos said based on a recent report by the Philippine Coast Guard, transport of essential goods has significantly improved
More than P500 million has been allocated to increase San Juanico Bridge’s current three-ton load limit to 12 tons by December, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in a speech during an event at Palo, Leyte on July 7.
He said he has ordered the expedited retrofitting and restoration of the bridge, whose weight restriction starting May has affected connectivity between the provinces of Leyte and Samar, disrupting passenger and cargo traffic between the regions.
Marcos noted, however, that there is a need to restore the bridge’s original weight limit of 33 tons, while acknowledging the inconveniences brought by the temporary weight restriction
“Inatasan ko na ang DPWH at DBM (Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Budget and Management) na hanapan agad ito ng solusyon. Agaran tayong kumilos, at patuloy na kikilos upang muling maging ligtas at matibay ang ating San Juanico Bridge,” Marcos said.
(I have ordered DPWH and DBM to find a quick solution. We need to act fast and to keep working to ensure San Juanico Bridge is safe.)
From a two to four-day waiting time previously, Marcos said that based on a recent report by the Philippine Coast Guard, transport of essential goods has significantly improved, with perishable cargo now typically waiting just one to two hours, while non-perishable goods experience delays of about two to four hours to cross the bridge.
Marcos during an inspection of the bridge last June ordered that perishable goods get priority access on San Juanico Bridge while access to the structure is limited.
With the bridge’s load limit, ports have become an alternate way for travel and transport to and from Leyte and Samar.
Amandayehan port, a fishing port in Basey, Samar, was upgraded to handle cargoes. Other alternate ports have also been identified, while special shipping permits have been issued to some shipping lines to operate more routes.
