2 weeks ago
5
TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 8 has activated its emergency response mechanisms in anticipation of potential disruptions brought about by the newly imposed axle load limit on the San Juanico Bridge.
Following a recent structural assessment conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways, access to San Juanico Bridge is now limited to vehicles weighing 3 tons or less.
The findings indicated potential damage in certain parts of the bridge, prompting the enforcement of traffic restrictions to ensure public safety.
DSWD Field Office 8 has prepositioned standby funds and essential relief supplies, including food and nonfood items, for immediate deployment if needed.
The agency also confirmed its readiness to extend transportation assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program.
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
DPWH regional director Edgar Tabacon said that the estimated cost for the bridge's repair and rehabilitation stands at P800 million, which will be sourced from national emergency funds.
"Immediate measures will be taken to assess potential rehabilitation or strengthening options for the bridge," Tabacon said on Friday.
"We can adapt emergency mechanisms just like what we did during the pandemic when transport of goods and services were disrupted," he added.
Local government units have likewise activated contingency plans to help mitigate disruptions, including rerouting strate-gies and public advisories for affected sectors.
The San Juanico Bridge is a vital infrastructure connecting Samar and Leyte, and all efforts are being taken to ensure that public safety and the flow of services and commerce remain stable during the period of restriction.
