The business sector in Tacloban-Leyte is urging Malacanang to form an intergovernmental task force to handle repairs of the San Juanico Bridge after the popular gateway was placed under restricted access due to structural vulnerabilities.

The Department of Public Works and Highways earlier imposed a strict 3-ton maximum axle load limit on all vehicles passing the bridge.

“Only light vehicles are allowed to pass. Vehicles exceeding this limit will be prohibited from crossing. Motorists must use the bridge's centerline, proceeding ONE AT A TIME, and should follow all on-site traffic directions,” a Tacloban City Information Office advisory said.

The San Juanico Bridge stretches from Samar to Leyte Island and is the longest bridge along the Pan-Philippine Highway that connects Luzon and Mindanao

Eugene Tan, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Tacloban-Leyte, warned the bridge restrictions could lead to an increase of prices of goods because of the cost of freight using roll-on, roll-off vessels.

“Effective kahapon, isinara ‘yung San Juanico Bridge except for 3-tons loads na mga sasakyan. Alam naman natin na ang San Juanico is the gateway for the region connecting Leyte and Samar. So nagkaroon ng instructions because of the structural problem, so ‘yung superstructure nagkaproblema. They need to shut down the traffic of San Juanico effective yesterday,” he told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

“We in the chamber are not against the closure pero sana mabilisan, maaksyunan. Bawat araw na dumadaan malaki ang epekto sa ekonomiya.”

The PCCI official warned the bridge restrictions will affect the delivery of fuel and goods in both regions. 

Tan said government will need to spend P5 million for the repair of the dock in Tacloban City to allow more roll on, roll off (ro-ro) vessels to dock there. “The DPWH is willing to do the repairs because hindi naman ganun kalaki ‘yung repair,” he said.

Repairs of the San Juanico Bridge superstructure could reach P900 million, not including the foundation, he said. 

He said PCCI has suggested a “secretary-to-secretary” intervention to speed up the repairs, “otherwise they will be shutting down the economy of the entire region.”

“Sana maaksyunan ito ng Malacanang,” he said.