TACLOBAN CITY — Anticipating a massive economic disruption due to the transport restrictions at the San Juanico Bridge, the entire Samar province has been placed under a state of emergency on Tuesday, 20 May.

The Samar provincial board passed Resolution No. 17-1144-25 during its regular session to anticipate and curb “unfavorable effects” of the San Juanico Bridge repair to the local economy.

The resolution was passed in response to the call of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) which was convened to an emergency meeting on Saturday, 17 May.

The council endorsed to put the province under state of emergency indefinitely to address the looming crisis. It also asked the Philippine Navy to provide a vessel to transport fuel, medical supplies and other essential goods from Tacloban to Catbalogan to ensure a continued supply amid potential disruptions.

The Samar provincial government, in a statement, said the state of emergency declaration is intended to facilitate a timely and efficient response to the anticipated disruptions, enabling the implementation of critical measures such as the imposition of price controls, enhanced coordination among relevant stakeholders, and the allocation of necessary funds to support emergency response and mitigation efforts.

The 53-year-old iconic San Juanico Bridge, which connects Samar and Leyte islands — and by extension Luzon to Mindanao through the Maharlika Highway — was closed to cargo trucks and buses due to discovery of structural weaknesses. 

When the bridge was in its best condition with no load restrictions set, an average of 14,000 vehicles cross daily.

The latest guidelines from the Department of Public Works and Highways regional office issued on Tuesday stipulates that only vehicles that weighing two tons and below with a maximum height of 3.2 meters will be allowed to cross the bridge.

Cargo trucks and buses, most of them are bound for Mindanao, are advised to get on RoRo boats in Manguino-o Port in Calbayog City to GGC Port in Ormoc City.  From Ormoc City, truckers can drive to Liloan Port in Southern Leyte where regular trips to Surigao City are available.

The Maritime Industry Authority regional office has issued 30-day Special Permit to six boats serving the Calbayog City to Ormoc City route. Marina said the special permits were issued “to help address ongoing transportation and logistics challenges — particularly the movement of goods and essential cargoes from Luzon to the Visayas”

The six boats of the Calbayog to Ormoc route will each have one trip daily, with each boat capable of accommodating 40 vehicles.

The DPWH earlier announced that the repair of San Juanico Bridge may take up to two years when it is fully funded.