By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared a state of calamity in Eastern Visayas for a year to fast-track the repair and rehabilitation of the 2.16 km San Juanico Bridge, Malacañang said Tuesday.
The President issued Proclamation No. 920 on June 5 after the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recommended placing the region under a state of calamity to also mitigate the impact of the bridge repair on the residents of Samar and Leyte provinces, “There is hereby declared a State of Calamity in Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) on account of escalating risks caused by significant structural compromises in San Juanico Bridge, for one (1) year beginning this date, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant,” the proclamation read.
Also, President Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) in the region for expediting the repair and rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge, which connects the islands of Samar and Leyte.
On May 15, the DPWH imposed a three-ton load limit on vehicles crossing the bridge after assessment found the structure to be in critical condition.
This restriction, however, disrupted the transport of food, medicine, agricultural products, construction materials, and other essential commodities across Eastern Visayas.
Due to this, Marcos underscored the “urgent need” to repair and rehabilitate the bridge “to ensure timely delivery of essential goods and services and restore regional mobility.”
Early this week, the Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar was opened to serve as an alternative route for heavy vehicles not allowed to cross the San Juanico Bridge to Tacloban, Leyte. The port accommodates cargo operations, including roll-on/roll-off (RORO) and light cargo transport (LCT) vessels.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is tasked with assisting the DPWH to identify “appropriate and sufficient funding sources” for the bridge repair.
Law enforcement agencies, with support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), were instructed to ensure safety as well as peace and order in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, the President also directed all departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices of the national government, and encouraged all LGUs and the private sector to fully support, cooperate, and “mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate measures promptly to repair and rehabilitate the San Juanico Bridge fully.”
-jpv
