TACLOBAN CITY — Citing rising logistics costs and disrupted supply chains, a business group in Eastern Visayas has urged Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, in his capacity as chair of the Regional Development Council (RDC), to seek the immediate rehabilitation and structural upgrading of the Calbiga Bridge in Samar.
In a letter dated December 29, 2025, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Tacloban-Leyte, Inc., through its president Eugene Tan, asked Petilla to endorse the project to concerned national government agencies and the Office of the President for urgent action.
The group said the recent increase in the allowable load capacity of the San Juanico Bridge was a welcome development for the business and logistics sector, as it significantly eased transportation constraints and reduced operational costs.
“However, the existing limitations of the Calbiga Bridge have now become a critical bottleneck,” the letter stated.
Due to the load restriction, heavy trucks are now forced to take an alternative route of about 250 kilometers, resulting in additional logistics expenses estimated at P10,000 to P15,000 per trip, the group said.
The business sector noted that the situation has imposed a substantial burden on businesses, contractors, and suppliers operating not only within Eastern Visayas but also in other parts of the country that rely on the Calbiga Bridge as a vital transport corridor.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) imposed a 15-ton gross vehicle weight limit on the Calbiga Bridge on October 27, 2025, citing structural deterioration due to age and overloading.
As a result, heavy vehicles have been required to reroute via Eastern Samar using the Buray–Taft Road, travel by roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels, or take other longer routes to reach Tacloban and nearby areas.
“In view of this, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban-Leyte and the Philippine Contractors Association, Leyte Chapter, Inc., respectfully request your endorsement to the concerned national government agencies for the immediate assessment, prioritization, and allocation of funding for the said projects,” the letter read.
The groups said swift action on the Calbiga Bridge would enhance regional connectivity, ensure public safety, and promote economic growth in Eastern Visayas.
Calbiga Bridge is among several steel truss bridges in the region that have been placed under load restrictions this year due to structural concerns. Prior to the imposition of the load limit, the DPWH Samar 2nd Engineering District had sought a P140-million budget for the bridge’s retrofitting and repair.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
