THE Philippine government heightened its emergency readiness and deployed additional support services as it accelerated the rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge in Eastern Visayas.
Acknowledging the inconvenience the project may cause to nearby communities, Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro on Monday emphasized the long-term benefits of the rehabilitation, citing public safety as a top priority.
“Let’s look at this from a more positive perspective because this is rehabilitation. It would be better to avoid what might cause a disaster if it can’t be fixed early,” she said in Filipino during a news briefing.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other key agencies raised a blue alert, she added.
The 2.16-kilometer bridge connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte is now off-limits to heavy vehicles, following a May 8 directive from the DPWH. Under the new guidelines, only vehicles with a gross weight of up to 3 tons are permitted to pass.
A multi-agency task force has also been activated, alongside the establishment of public assistance desks on both ends of the bridge and 24-hour patrol units to monitor safety conditions.
To manage vehicle access, a weighing station will be installed to ensure only light vehicles are permitted to cross during rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, the DPWH has committed to deploying 13 shuttle buses offering round-the-clock service to assist affected commuters.
Coordination is also underway with local government units and the Philippine Ports Authority to facilitate the movement of buses and passengers as traffic is rerouted. — Chloe Mari A. Hear
