Following load limit
TACLOBAN CITY – Mayor Alfred Romualdez has urged the national government to seek a second opinion regarding the structural condition of the San Juanico Bridge, following the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) decision to impose a three-ton weight limit on the 52-year-old structure.
The DPWH move came after a consultancy firm recommended the restriction, citing structural defects that require immediate attention.
However, Mayor Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., believes a separate assessment from independent experts is necessary before making any long-term decisions that could disrupt regional mobility and commerce.
“I believe we need a second opinion regarding the structural integrity of the San Juanico Bridge. We may be overreacting,” Romualdez said in an interview on Sunday, May 25. “Before making a decision, we should consult other experts. Just like when we’re sick—we seek a second opinion.”
Given that the bridge was constructed by a Japanese company with the help of its engineers, the mayor suggested that the government should also consider consulting with Japanese experts or institutions involved in its original construction.
The San Juanico Bridge, which spans 2.16 kilometers, connects the town of Sta. Rita in Samar to Tacloban City in Leyte. Built from 1969 to 1973, it remains a vital infrastructure that links Eastern Visayas to the rest of the country.
Mayor Romualdez also proposed a review of the imposed weight restrictions, suggesting flexibility for certain vehicles.
“Maybe empty trucks could be allowed to cross. They could be given specific schedules and speed limits to ensure safety,” he said.
The mayor also expressed frustration that despite the installation of a weighing scale for trucks and heavy vehicles at the bridge, it was apparently never utilized.
“The problem is, we had a weighing scale but it wasn’t used. We should learn from this,” Romualdez said.
He warned that mismanagement of the situation could lead to unnecessary government spending.
“For instance, if we start building multiple ports to compensate for the disruption, that could cost billions—possibly more than repairing the bridge itself,” he added.
Meanwhile, regional officials have raised concerns about the exorbitant rise in airfare on the Tacloban-Manila route following the implementation of the load limit at the bridge.
Jam Colas Villaber, assistant regional director of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development, brought up the issue with Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon during a meeting on Sunday. Dizon reportedly committed to raising the matter with airline companies.
Local businessman Wilson Uy noted that airfares have surged to over P9,000, which is more expensive than flights to some international destinations like Hong Kong. Before the increase, airfares ranged from P2,000 to P4,000, depending on the season.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
