The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Tracy Cabrera
CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City — It seems the recent collapse of the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela province has brcome a wakeup call for government as the country’s second longest bridge has shown structural weaknesses on close inspection by government structural engineers.
In a report by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), it was learned that the 2.16-kilometer-long San Juanico Bridge that connects Samar to Leyte, is now subject to enhanced restrictions following recent assessments indicating structural vulnerabilities.
According to OCD administrator undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, their office in Region VII I has already deployed personnel to verify the situation and coordinate with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials to be able to determine the bridge’s actual condition.
Nepomuceno added that President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. had immediately ordered the strict enforcement of weight limits and close coordination with local government units (LGUs) to properly monitor the situation.
As a temporary measure, the president directed the use of roll-on/roll-off vessels, such as those traveling routes from Catbalogan to Tacloban or Calbayog to Tacloban, to maintain connectivity while authorities address the structural issues.
The recent OCD assessment identified potential damage to some structural components of the San Juanico Bridge, prompting the authorities to restrict heavier vehicles and implement traffic controls to prevent overloads and mitigate risks.
The Eastern Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, chaired by OCD director Lord Byron Torrecarion, has convened an emergency meeting to formulate a unified response. The council issued a memorandum for the strict enforcement of the restrictions and fostering close collaboration with local government units to garner community support.
A new memorandum, signed by Torrecarion and addressed to all Provincial, City, and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils in Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Ormoc City and Tacloban City, outlines additional safety measures.
Effective immediately, only light vehicles not exceeding three metric tons axle load are allowed to cross the San Juanico Bridge. All vehicles must traverse along the bridge centerline and proceed one at a time, in strict compliance with on-site traffic management personnel. Heavy vehicles, including commercial cargo trucks and buses, are prohibited from using the bridge until further notice.
“These restrictions aim to safeguard public safety and minimize structural stress while urgent repair and maintenance works are coordinated. A joint task force comprising personnel from the DPWH, Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines has been stationed at strategic points near the bridge,” Torrecarion disclosed.
The teams, he said, will be conducting vehicle weighing, traffic checks and enforcement activities to prevent overloads, ensure safety, and facilitate smooth traffic flow.
“Our goal is to prevent incidents and ensure our infrastructure can withstand natural hazards. President Marcos has instructed us to ensure that our roads and bridges are resilient against earthquakes and other risks, so tragedies like the collapse of the Isabela Bridge are not repeated,” he stressed.
As a final word, the OCD official advised residents and travelers to stay updated in order through official channels for further advisories to ensure their safety and avoid any untoward incident like what happened to the Isabela Bridge connecting the towns of Cabagan and Santa Maria.