TACLOBAN CITY — A year into relying on the Lighterage Cargo Transport (LCT) route as Biliran’s main link to mainland Leyte, the Biliran Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) says it’s time for the national government to step up.
In a statement, the chamber praised the provincial government of Biliran for quickly establishing the barging system, which kept trade and mobility flowing when the province’s main bridge faced limits.
But the BCCI warned that a year of LCT operations has highlighted serious gaps in infrastructure and policy. Docking ports and access roads along the route remain inadequate, unsafe, and poorly equipped to handle sustained cargo operations.
“These deficiencies pose risks to public safety, damage vehicles and goods, slow logistics, and raise operational costs that ultimately affect consumers,” the statement said.
The business group also pointed out that the recently completed P30-million bridge repair only slightly increased its load capacity—from 5 tons to 15 tons—underscoring that LCT operations will continue to be needed in the near to medium term.
Because of this, BCCI is urging the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other relevant agencies to prioritize upgrading docking facilities, access roads, traffic management systems, and safety measures along the LCT corridor.
“These are no longer temporary fixes—they are essential economic infrastructure,” the group emphasized.
The prolonged reliance on the LCT route, BCCI added, continues to affect the province’s economy, from supply chains and market prices to investor confidence. The group also called for a clear, time-bound development plan with transparent funding and implementation schedules.
“The people of Biliran deserve infrastructure solutions that match the scale and urgency of the challenge,” the statement concluded.
The BCCI reaffirmed its commitment to working with government and private stakeholders to ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods, stable prices, and the overall well-being of Biliran’s economy.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
