NegOr tackles influx of trucks diverted from San Juanico bridge
Cargo trucks line the Looc bypass road in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on Thursday, May 23, 2025, awaiting their ferry trips to Mindanao. Stakeholders are scrambling to resolve a surge of delivery trucks in Negros Oriental after they were diverted from San Juanico Bridge, which is currently undergoing repair. — Photo from Philippine 好色先生TV Agency
DUMAGUETE CITY – Authorities and stakeholders in Negros Oriental are working swiftly to address the sudden influx of cargo trucks rerouted to the province amid the ongoing repair of San Juanico Bridge in the Eastern Visayas region.
Executive Master Sgt. Aurelio Bodo, chief of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Team (PHPT) in the province, said Friday that they have relocated more than 20 trucks to safer areas to help decongest traffic and mitigate potential economic disruptions.
“The PHPT is actively working with key stakeholders to manage the surge of truck traffic traveling from Luzon to Mindanao as a result of the ongoing repair of the San Juanico Bridge, which connects Samar and Leyte,” Bodo said in a statement.
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A meeting on Thursday brought together the PHPT, the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), and provincial officials to formulate solutions.
NOCCI president Edward Du explained that trucks weighing three tons or more are prohibited from using the San Juanico Bridge, forcing rerouted travel through Dumaguete and onward to Mindanao via Dapitan City.
“Most of these big trucks were diverted from the Eastern seaboard and the closest route to Mindanao is from Dumaguete City to Dapitan City in Mindanao,” he said.
Du pointed out two ways to reach Mindanao from Luzon – through the Eastern and Central seaboards, specifically this capital city.
Large trucks are now clogging key roads, including the Looc bypass, Flores Avenue, and Barangay Bantayan.
The haulers, delivering goods from Luzon to Mindanao and vice versa, have no choice but to divert the connecting route via Dumaguete, Du said.
With no alternative route available, drivers are left with no choice but to wait for their scheduled ferry trips.
To address this, stakeholders have begun identifying temporary parking sites, strengthening coordination with port and traffic authorities, and involving the private sector to find logistical fixes.
Safety and timely cargo delivery remain top concerns.
On Thursday morning, the PHPT supervised the relocation of trucks to the Sibulan diversion road and a holding area in Barangay Camanjac.
“We are doing everything possible to manage the situation, ensuring road safety and efficient cargo movement while protecting public welfare,” Bodo said. /das
