The island province of Biliran is grappling with a major transportation challenge following the restricted use of the Biliran Bridge, a critical link connecting the province to mainland Leyte.
The limitation has disrupted the transport of goods, essential supplies, and public travel, creating economic ripples across the region.
Governor Gerard Espina has declared a state of calamity late Friday, December 27 to enable swift government interventions. The resolution included price stabilization measures, ensuring uninterrupted delivery of goods and services, and mobilizing resources to address the situation.
The decision followed viral social media posts showing the structure swaying, raising safety concerns. Currently, only light vehicles are permitted to use the bridge, while buses must unload passengers before crossing.
Constructed in 1976, the Biliran Bridge has long served as the province’s only connection to Leyte. However, its age and wear have increasingly raised concerns about its reliability.
In 2021, the DPWH proposed a PHP500-million parallel bridge project to address these issues, but construction has yet to begin.
State media Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported that on December 23, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 8 officially prohibited heavy vehicles, including trucks carrying food and fuel, from using the Biliran Bridge.
In an advisory, DPWH attributed the bridge movement to strong winds and the high volume of traffic during the holiday season.
To address the urgent need for cargo movement, the DPWH has recommended barge transport for heavy vehicles, pending significant repairs or replacement of damaged bridge components.
While repairs on the Leyte side of the bridge ramp began late Friday, the provincial government has yet to announce when barge services will commence.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.