Dizon leads as govt tackles San Juanico Bridge crisis

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TRANSPORTATION Secretary Vince Dizon flew to Tacloban on Sunday, taking the helm of the national government's urgent response to the structural integrity concerns that threaten the iconic San Juanico Bridge, a lifeline linking Leyte and Samar.

"This is not just about a bridge — it's about keeping two provinces, their people, and their economies connected and safe," Dizon said following his arrival at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport.

The 2.16-kilometer San Juanico Bridge, once celebrated as a marvel of Marcos-era infrastructure, has now become a flashpoint of national anxiety.

Structural assessments over the past week raised red flags, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to issue direct orders: form a dedicated San Juanico Task Group (SJTG), maintain heightened Blue Alert status, and mobilize all necessary resources.

At the heart of the response is the newly formed SJTG, led by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) under Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno. The Mega Tent, set up by Tingog party-list at both ends of the bridge, now serves as the central Public Assistance Desk, replacing all scattered help desks to streamline information flow and public assistance.

"We are mobilizing the whole-of-government response here," Nepomuceno stressed. "Our priority is to prevent a repeat of the Isabela Bridge collapse. Public safety is non-negotiable."

For local residents and travelers, the changes are immediate and tangible. Effective Sunday, pedestrians can no longer cross the bridge on foot; instead, light vehicles and coasters now ferry passengers across. Heavy trucks are being diverted through a network of temporary checkpoints — Sogod, Ormoc, Palo, Catbalogan, and Sta. Rita — to ease the load on the bridge.

Meanwhile, two pop-up passenger terminals — one in front of Orly's Restaurant in Tacloban and another near a food stop in Sta. Rita — are working overtime to handle the surge of stranded commuters.

The Blue Alert status, maintained by OCD Eastern Visayas and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), signals the region's elevated state of preparedness.

"We are not waiting for disaster to strike," said Lord Byron Torrecarion, OCD Eastern Visayas Director. "We are doing everything we can now — traffic management, structural assessments, inter-agency coordination — to keep the people safe and the supply chains running."

Behind the scenes, engineers, maritime authorities, and local government officials are gathering for continuous briefings, hammering out next steps and rapid deployment plans.

"We're facing the realities of climate pressures, aging infrastructure, and rising mobility demands," Dizon said. "Our commitment is to act decisively, with the best minds, the fastest coordination, and the clearest focus on public safety."