With the ongoing load limit imposed on the San Juanico Bridge which affected the transport of essential commodities across the region, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a one-year state of calamity in Eastern Visayas.

The declaration of the state of calamity on the 53 year old, 2.16-kilometer bridge, serving as the only permanent link between the islands of Samar and Leyte, will be effective for one year, retroactive to June 5, unless lifted earlier or extended.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recommended this declaration to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on May 25 due to the severe impacts brought by the structural flaws of the 52-year-old bridge.

In Proclamation No. 920 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the declaration will "hasten the repair and rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge and afford the National Government, as well as the local government units (LGUs) ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds for its repair and safety upgrade," it stated.

During an media interview at his inspection of the Amandayehan Port on Tuesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that the government will provide additional roll on-roll offs (Ro-Ros), install an additional ramp, and conduct night navigation to mitigate the problem.

"What we do is provide RoRo. This (RoRo) is for 30 trucks and there will be more for 40 and 50 trucks," Marcos said.

"We will install one more ramp there so that it will be doubled and we will start a night navigation. Meaning, even at night, we can transport," he added.

Marcos said the state of calamity was declared "so that we can bring in additional funding, we can bring in additional services."

Following the need for a major rehabilitation and retrofitting of San Juanico Bridge, the government is eyeing to construct a new bridge that will be funded by the Japanese government.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the three-ton load limit imposed on the bridge since May 15, can be gradually increased until before December.

"Gradually, we will repair the three-toner segments, then we will increase it to four and five tons. Eventually, when we finish it before December, we will then have about 12 tons on load limit," Bonoan said. Kate Christian Ravelo/DMS