CEBU CITY – A businessmen has said that prices of basic goods may increase because of the load limit imposed on the San Juanico Bridge, the 2.16-kilometer bridge that connects Samar and Leyte.
Businessman warns of price hikes due to San Juanico load limit
ISRAEL Alin, founder and CEO of Alin Cargo Express, speaks during the launching of Alin Cargo Express Franchise in Cebu City. (Calvin Cordova)
Israel Alin, president of the Visayas United Truckers Association Inc. (VUTAI), said the situation at San Juanico has affected the delivery of goods in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Alin, founder and CEO of Alin Cargo Express, said one of the issues that concerns VUTAI is the delay in delivery of various items due imposition of load limit on San Juanico due to structural integrity hounding the bridge.
"With that, the trucking sectors are gonna charge extra due to the queuing and the expenses are higher than before. So what is happening there has a big effect,” Alin said.
Alin said the trucking sector has been finding ways to minimize the impact of the load imposition.
Finding diversion routes is one of the measures that truckers has considered, Alin said at the sidelines of the launching of the Alin Cargo Express Franchise.
Roll-on, roll-off cargo vessels have been commissioned as an alternative for delivery trucks to cross the two provinces, Alin added.
Alin said VUTAI is hoping that the bridge will be immediately repaired to reduce the impact on the country’s economy.