(Photo: Office of Civil Defense)

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) convened the Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell (IACC) on Friday, May 23, to address the ongoing crisis in Samar caused by the partial closure of the San Juanico Bridge.

OCD Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno led the IACC meeting at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Operations Center in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City to discuss the impact—both economic and social—of the bridge’s limited load capacity and structural issues.

The meeting was attended by officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), regional civil defense offices, and Samar provincial government.

The OCD Eastern Visayas (OCD-8) reported that traffic on the San Juanico Bridge has been cleared since its partial closure last week but noted that congestion has shifted to ports. It said ports are not yet fully prepared to handle increased cargo, although vessels are available.

The DPWH and PPA have proposed interim maritime routes and port upgrades including options via Carigara, Catbalogan, Maguino-o, Tolosa, and Osmeña, to accommodate heavier vehicles and sustain logistical flow across the affected regions.

They added that long-term plans involve retrofitting girders, replacing slabs, and reinforcing the structure over the next one to two years.

To recall, the San Juanico Bridge was partially closed to motorists after the DPWH imposed a three-ton weight limit on May 14 due to the bridge’s deteriorating condition. Due to this, a state of emergency has been declared across the Samar province.

As a key part of the Maharlika Highway, the bridge is vital for inter-island mobility, economic activity, and national connectivity. It is used daily by over 14,000 vehicles, including 1,396 heavy vehicles.

Engineering assessments have revealed widespread corrosion, deformed steel members, and deteriorated connections. Immediate responses include restricting vehicle loads, managing one-way traffic for light vehicles, and deploying barge transport for heavy cargo.

“The footing of the San Juanico Bridge must still be checked to see if it is still in good condition. But, according to DPWH and technical staff in the region, the ground is likely unsuitable. While ports like Amandayehan are available, they are currently undersized for our needs. We are seeking to leverage the State of Emergency Declaration to speed up funding for its development, since we expect to use it for the next two years or more,” Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan said during the IACC meeting.

According to the OCD, the Department of Energy (DOE) is managing fuel supplies in Samar and will meet with OCD-8 to prioritize tanker trucks for food and other essential goods via roll on/roll off services. The DOE is also coordinating with the Philippine Institute of Petroleum (PIP) for vessel charter updates.

Meanwhile, the OCD said that the Babatngon Port in Leyte remains unready for full operations but is being prepared to support future logistics needs.

Nepomuceno said that the OCD will establish a Regional Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell to be led by OCD-8. This will mobilize all necessary government resources and forge a unified response to ensure that the needs of the residents in Samar are met amid transportation issues.

“We will oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of alternative routes to bypass the constraints posed by the San Juanico Bridge. Short-term strategies include opening additional ports and identifying the most serviceable and reliable routes by land, sea, and air, as well as creating a priority humanitarian lane for vital goods,” he said.

Nepomuceno also directed the OCD-8 to expedite the processing of all pending requests with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), PPA, and PCG for trip approvals and permits. 

The OCD-8 was tasked to prepare a comprehensive concept paper to guide planning and coordination efforts, considering the upcoming rainy season. The document is expected to be submitted no later than May 26, with an initial plan due on Friday, May 23.