A ranking solon in the 19th Congress has told government agencies and local authorities to step up their coordination in a bid to ease disruptions caused by the ongoing restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge, which connects the islands of Leyte and Samar.

According to House Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan, there is a need for a more proactive collaboration between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and local government units (LGUs).

“Given the significance of the San Juanico Bridge as a critical link between Samar and Leyte, it is vital that all concerned agencies work together seamlessly to ensure that contingency measures are well-planned and effectively communicated,” Libanan, a 4Ps party-list representative, said in a statement Monday, May 19.

Libanan hails from Eastern Samar and served as the province’s lone congressional representative for nine years.

The DPWH imposed a three-ton gross vehicle weight limit on the bridge starting May 15 due to structural concerns and pending repairs. 

The bridge serves as the only land route connecting the two Visayas islands, making the weight restriction a major logistical challenge.

As a result, heavy vehicles have been forced to use roll-on/roll-off ferry services, resulting in increased costs, delays, and inconvenience for commuters, small businesses, and regional industries.

Libanan highlighted the importance of early planning, timely advisories, and expanded transport alternatives during infrastructure interventions of this scale.

“We encourage the DPWH, DOTr, OCD, and LGUs to strengthen their coordination and communication strategies to minimize the impact on the public. We’ve seen local officials and civil society stepping up in response to the situation—it’s essential that they receive the full support of national agencies," he said.

Libanan expressed confidence that with improved cooperation, necessary repairs can move forward without unduly paralyzing the region.

“Let’s use this as an opportunity to build a more responsive system that prioritizes public welfare and regional resilience,” he added.

Meanwhile, Tingog Party-list, in coordination with the Office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, has mobilized immediate government action in response to the partial closure of the San Juanico Bridge.

These interventions are meant to reduce the burden on affected commuters and businesses, and move toward the full restoration of transport connectivity. 

These include: collaboration with DPWH and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to identify and prepare alternative transport routes and ports; and the creation of temporary passenger terminals and assistance centers on both sides of the San Juanico Bridge, offering shelter, basic services, and emergency support.

“We remain hopeful that full transport and logistics connectivity will be restored at the soonest possible time,” Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said in a separate statement Monday.

“Tingog Party-list will continue to stand with the people of Eastern Visayas—working hand in hand with government, private sector, and civil society partners—to uphold our mission of caring governance, responsive leadership, and concrete service to the region,” he vowed.