The Philippine Ports Authority has called on truckers and other motorists with vehicles weighing over three tons to use roll on, roll off vessels as an alternative to the San Juanico Bridge due to the recent change to its weight limit.

In an advisory on Friday, the PPA said large trucks, buses, and delivery vehicles can use Ro-Ro vessels to go from Samar to Leyte and vice versa.

This is after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Regional Office 8 (Eastern Visayas) announced a three-ton maximum gross vehicle weight limit at the San Juanico Bridge due to structural problems on Thursday.

“Bilang katuwang sa pagbibigay-solusyon, ang PPA ay aktibong nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga stakeholder upang tiyakin ang maayos na operasyon sa mga Ro-Ro-capable ports (To help provide a solution, the PPA is actively coordinating with stakeholders to assure the proper operation of Ro-Ro-capable ports),” it said.

These Ro-Ro-capable ports are Tacloban Port, Calbayog Port, Catbalogan Port, Biliran Port, Ormoc Port, Manguinoo Port in Calbayog, Hilongos Port, Maasin Port, Naval Port, Palompon Port, Calubian Port, and Villaba Port.

“Bilang pakikiisa sa maintenance ng San Juanico Bridge, inaasahan ang kooperasyon at pang-unawa ng mga dumadaan dito (In line with the maintenance works for the San Juanico bridge, we hope for the cooperation and understanding of those who pass through it),” the PPA said.

On Thursday, the DPWH said the San Juanico Bridge is expected to be off-limits to heavy vehicles for almost two years pending the completion of the P900-million rehabilitation project.

Built in August 1969 and completed in 1973, 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. (PNA)