PCCI recommends slew of measures to address San Juanico Bridge woes

• The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry recommended measures to cut losses caused by the vehicle weight limit at San Juanico Bridge

• The restriction has hampered movement of goods between Leyte and Samar

• Among others, the chamber pushed for temporary waiver of port fees for essential food and medical shipments, and subsidy programs or tax relief for affected sectors

• The crafting of an Urgent Economic Mitigation Plan and designation of a rehabilitation czar was also recommended

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has recommended a slew of measures to cut losses caused by the vehicle weight limit in place at San Juanico Bridge. These include temporary waiver of port fees for essential food and medical shipments and subsidy or tax relief for affected micro, small and medium enterprises, especially those in the transport, agriculture, and retail sectors.

In a statement on May 30, PCCI said it shares the concern of the of Eastern Visayas business community over the temporary closure of the bridge to vehicles weighing over three tons since May 15 which has impeded the movement of goods between Leyte and Samar.

“While we understand the necessity of ensuring public safety and conducting rehabilitation works, the closure has already triggered significant disruptions to commerce, mobility, and the local economy,” PCCI said, noting the bridge “is not merely a physical connection between two islands; it is the economic artery of Eastern Visayas.”

It added: “Local businesses are already feeling the strain, with some reporting losses as high as 30% within the first week of the bridge’s closure.”

The bridge links Leyte’s commercial hub (Tacloban) to Samar’s farms. It also forms part of Asian Highway 26, the only continuous over-land route between Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. PCCI noted that in the first quarter of 2024, Region VIII shipped P10.57 billion in domestic cargo, the fourth highest among all regions.

Tacloban City is already under a state of emergency due to limited access to San Juanico Bridge.

The restriction, the group said, has resulted in severe logistical delays affecting the movement of goods—especially perishable agricultural products and essential supplies such as medical and pharmaceutical, construction inputs, consumer supplies, and fuel.

It increased transportation cost for both raw materials and finished goods due to reliance on slower and more expensive roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) services and ferry alternatives.

Moreover, it disrupts labor mobility, hindering the daily commute of workers and professionals across the region; and reduced customer traffic for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which rely heavily on inter-island commerce.

To help minimize the economic damage, PCCI recommends coordinated action by concerned government agencies and local government units.

In particular, the group recommends the following:

• Immediate implementation of an “Urgent Economic Mitigation Plan” that includes activation or repair of the Tacloban-Catbalogan and Tacloban-Calbayog Ro-Ro ramps
• Providing subsidy for barge charters
• Temporary waiver of fees by the Philippine Ports Authority and Maritime Industry Authority for essential food and medical shipments
• Designation of pre-cleared staging areas for trucks serving the agriculture and health sectors
• Rollout of a digital barge booking system to minimize waiting times
• Appointment of a “San Juanico Bridge Rehabilitation Czar” to provide central leadership, unify planning and decision-making, and coordinate action across the different jurisdictions
• For government to provide regular updates on the progress of repair works, including expected timelines and contingency plans
• Improvement of efficiency and capacity of Ro-Ro services and to ensure fair regulation of fare and cargo fees to prevent price gouging. Government should also determine the Ro-Ro shipping requirement to ensure the right number of Ro-Ro vessels are deployed.
• Subsidy programs or tax relief for affected MSMEs, especially those in the transport, agriculture, and retail sectors.
• Fast tracked rehabilitation efforts and to consider phased or limited access to allow partial reopening for light vehicles or commercial deliveries

PCCI said it may also be “instructive to consider mobilizing the engineering units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that is responsible for construction and infrastructure development to help and fast track the rehabilitation and repair of San Juanico bridge.”

Lastly, the group said business chambers and other affected stakeholders should be involved in ongoing discussions to ensure that plans and programs are inclusive and responsive.

“The PCCI and its local chambers remain committed to working hand-in-hand with government agencies and other stakeholders in navigating this crisis. Our shared goal is to maintain regional economic stability while supporting the modernization and safety of our infrastructure. We reaffirm our readiness to be part of the solution,” the group said.

DPWH Region 8 earlier said repair and rehabilitation plans for San Juanico Bridge are already underway.

An initial amount of P859 million was requested to the DPWH Central Office to cover only the slab and girder works for 32 spans, as these were the initially identified damaged sections requiring immediate repair. – Roumina Pablo

READ: CAB warns against price gouging related to San Juanico Bridge reduced capacity