The Regional Development Council (RDC) in Eastern Visayas is seeking the immediate release of ₱500 million in calamity funds to repair the San Juanico Bridge, whose weight restrictions have severely disrupted transport and trade between Samar and Leyte.
Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, RDC-8 Chairperson, led an emergency council meeting on May 19 at the DEPDev Building in Palo, Leyte. Officials discussed the impact of the three-ton load limit imposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) last May 15.
Meylene Rosales, the RDC vice chair and regional director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, said the bridge crisis qualifies as a disaster and warrants disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) fund support.
Rosales explained that the ₱500 million will fund urgent repairs to the bridge’s foundation but won’t restore its full load-bearing capacity. The DPWH estimates that full rehabilitation will cost ₱5.68 billion, and it is pushing to include the amount in the 2026 and 2027 national budgets.
In addition, the RDC urged Congress to grant President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emergency powers to tap into the national calamity fund for the repair of the 53-year-old bridge.
In response to the crisis, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) issued 30-day special permits to seven roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vessels to operate between Calbayog City in Samar and Ormoc City in Leyte.
Among the permitted ships are LCT Poseidon 40, MV Poseidon 48, and MV Poseidon 50 of ALD Sea Transport. Additional vessels from Seen Sam Shipping Inc. were also authorized to operate daily trips.
According to MARINA, these new routes aim to ease the strain on cargo and goods delivery caused by the San Juanico Bridge limitations.
Rosales said that more shipping firms have expressed interest in opening routes, and regional officials welcome these developments as a lifeline for businesses affected by the transport bottleneck.
Potential additional ports include Tacloban City, Basey in Samar, and Carigara in Leyte, but these still require infrastructure upgrades before they can receive larger vessels.
Meanwhile, in anticipation of congestion in Ormoc City’s commercial district, the city government and the Philippine Ports Authority designated three temporary truck holding areas for haulers with confirmed port schedules.
Authorities appealed to private lot owners to allow their spaces to be used temporarily to ease vehicle traffic near the Punta port.
The San Juanico Bridge, a 2.16-kilometer structure built in 1973, remains the longest bridge on the Pan-Philippine Highway, linking the country’s three major island groups. However, its structural decline underscores the need for immediate government action as Eastern Visayas grapples with a looming logistical nightmare.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.