Samar under state of emergency due to San Juanico Bridge limit
ICONIC SPAN San Juanico Bridge, shown in this March 2023 photo, is an iconic 2.1-kilometer span connecting the islands of Leyte and Samar across the San Juanico Strait. It used to be the country’s longest bridge until the 8.9-km Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway was completed in 2021. A second San Juanico Bridge is now in the planning stage. (PATRICK ROQUE/CONTRIBUTOR)
TACLOBAN CITY – The entire Samar province has been placed under a state of emergency on Tuesday as the San Juanico Bridge limit disrupts the flow of supplies from Leyte Island.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) approved the declaration during its 150th regular session in Catbalogan City, the provincial capital.
Since May 15, the Department of Public Works and Highways has limited the use of the 53-year-old 2.16-kilometer bridge to vehicles with gross weight of 3 tons as part of the bridge’s two-year rehabilitation.
This has affected the transport of fuel, medical supplies, and other essential goods from Tacloban City, Vice Governor Arnold Tan told journalists after the session.
“The declaration (of state of emergency) will help us control the prices of basic commodities such as food and fuel. Our gasoline stations are running out of supplies, but it’s good that some got stocks from Bicol Region,” he said.
The oil depot in Babatngon, Leyte is the main source of fuel in most areas in Samar Island.
Tan said the provincial government would use local funds to subsidize the cost of transporting fuel from Leyte using the port in Amandayehan village in Basey, Samar. The port is still undergoing improvement.
The state of emergency declaration by the provincial board is in response to the request of Samar Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
A state of emergency is a situation in which a government is empowered to perform actions or impose policies that it would normally not be permitted to undertake.
