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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Eastern Visayas under 'blue status' due to San Juanico Bridge limit

Eastern Visayas under 'blue status' due to San Juanico Bridge limit

Published May 16, 2025 03:53 pm
TACLOBAN CITY – The Regional Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) placed the entire Eastern Visayas region under blue alert status on Friday due to the impact of the San Juanico Bridge load limit.
"Starting today, all concerned agencies will mobilize resources to help those stranded. With this measure, we hope to normalize the situation within two weeks," Lord Byron Torrecarion, RDRRMC chairperson and Office of Civil Defense regional director, told reporters Friday.
Under the blue alert status, all regional response teams and assets must be on standby for possible deployment to areas impacted by load limit restrictions. Agencies will be able to spend their respective quick response funds.
The RDRRMC held an emergency meeting a day after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) strictly enforced the three-ton load limit on May 15, to make way for the nearly two-year, P900 million rehabilitation of the longest bridge along the Pan-Philippine Highway that connects Luzon and Mindanao.
The restriction was highly recommended by consultants during a meeting with DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan after a thorough assessment of the superstructure, built from August 1969 to 1973.
RDRRMC member agencies have started setting up tents as waiting areas for affected travelers. There are also portable toilets near the approach of the bridge.
“We will meet with local governments on how to assist the stranded passengers. For the first time, we will deploy our mobile kitchen to provide hot meals to affected truckers and travelers,” Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Grace Subong said.
The DSWD has P138-million worth of relief resources for those directly affected by the load limit.
During the meeting, RDRRMC members agreed to advise stranded truckers to return to their origin. The DPWH and other agencies have deployed light vehicles to cross perishable food items to the other side of the bridge.
The alternative nautical route from Leyte to Luzon is through the ports in Ormoc City, Cebu City, Masbate, and Matnog in Sorsogon.
Passenger buses are asked to deploy units on both sides of the bridge to facilitate the transfer of passengers. There are eight shuttle services deployed by the DPWH to assist passengers.
Land travelers from Samar are advised to take a 15-minute boat ride from Barangay San Antonio in Basey, Samar, to downtown Tacloban.
Cargo trucks are advised to utilize roll-on, roll-off vessels to maintain connectivity through the Tacloban, Ormoc, Hilongos, Maasin, Palompon, Calubian, and Villaba ports in Leyte Island; Naval port in Biliran; and Calbayog and Catbalogan ports in Samar Island. (PNA)

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San Juanico Bridge Tacloban City Leyte Eastern Visayas Blue alert
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