The local government of Eastern Samar has requested aid from the national government due to the economic effects of the San Juanico Bridge load limit to the province.

In a radio interview on Sunday, Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone said that prices of basic goods have been affected by the ongoing maintenance and load limit on the San Juanico Bridge.

"The supply of fuel has been affected, along with other products, especially the price," Evardone said.

He said roll-on, roll-off (RORO) vessels a travelling between Tacloban and ports in Calbayog and Catbalogan, Samar, yet the areas above were a four to eight hour journey to Eastern Samar.

Evardone instead suggested for the national government to allow RORO vessels to dock at Eastern Samar, and to subsidize transportation costs to help lower prices of goods in the province.

"It's a good solution because it'll take a long time, the repair will take a minimum of two years," Evardone said.

The governor explained that the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) recent report showed that prices of common goods were still at normal levels for old stocks delivered prior to the bridge's closing were being sold, yet prices may increase once old stocks are depleted.

"Now that the old stocks (are) running out, the next inventory will surely see a price hike, and that's going to be an issue," Evardone said.

Evardone said that the economy of Eastern Samar is heavily affected by the San Juanico closure, with construction material prices increasing and fuel stocks running low.

"Even in the provincial capitol, our depot has run out of fuel," Evardone explained.

The governor said he has talked with officials from DTI, Philippine Port Authorities (PPA), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and Department of Agriculture (DA) to present his request.

The DPWH regional office announced in an advisory on May 15 that the San Juanico Bridge, a 2.16-kilometer bridge connecting the island provinces of Leyte and Samar, can only be used by four-wheeled or small vehicles that weigh three metric tons and below due to structural integrity issues. Yzabela Velez-White/DMS