TACLOBAN CITY – Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan has called for the activation of more ports for heavy vehicles crossing between Samar and Leyte to address the growing queue of stranded trucks caused by load restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recently imposed weight limitations on the iconic bridge connecting the two major islands in Eastern Visayas, prompting logistical challenges for cargo transport and deliveries.

“Residents of Samar are starting to feel the impact of the load restrictions. We need more docking areas to keep the movement of goods steady,” Gov.Tan said in an interview.

At present, the Maguino-o Port in Calbayog City remains the only operational sea link between Samar and Leyte via the GGC Port, a privately operated anchorage in Ormoc City used by two shipping companies for heavy vehicle transport.

While Catbalogan Port is listed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) as a potential alternative, no shipping company has yet expressed interest in establishing a route to Leyte from this harbor.

Meanwhile, rehabilitation work is ongoing at Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar—located over four nautical miles from Tacloban Port—to serve as an additional route for heavy vehicles.

During a visit on May 25, Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon ordered the DPWH contractor to expedite the rehabilitation, aiming for completion within 10 days to two weeks.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has also emphasized the need for another port that can serve as a docking point from Leyte to Samar for the delivery of essential goods.

The Carigara Port in Leyte was also identified by local businessmen as a potential alternate route due to its shorter distance to both Catbalogan and Calbayog Ports. However, the PPA said the port is currently not serviceable and requires rehabilitation.

“Viability, logistics, and transport costs must all be considered. We don’t want prices of goods to spike because of higher overhead costs,” Tan added.

In response to the ongoing issues caused by the San Juanico Bridge load restriction, Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla has ordered the provincial engineering office to inspect and evaluate ports across the province like in Babatngon that can serve as alternate docking sites for roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels.

This was confirmed by Leyte 5th District Board Member Carlo Loreto during a session of the provincial board.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Niko Raul Daza, the 31-year-old son of outgoing Representative Paul Daza (1st District), has been proclaimed as the new congressman by the Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBC) on the afternoon of May 13, 2025.

Daza clinched a landslide victory, garnering a total of 141,867 votes, decisively defeating his opponent, former board member Rod del Valle.

In his message of gratitude, Daza expressed deep appreciation to his constituents.
“Your choice and trust in me is a great honor and privilege. I sincerely thank all of you—supporters, fellow candidates, and every single voter. I wholeheartedly commit to serving our fellow Nortehanons with dedication and integrity,” he said.

The proclamation was witnessed by his parents, siblings, friends, and supporters.
The Daza family has long been a prominent political force in Northern Samar.

Niko’s father, Paul, served multiple terms in Congress and was also a former governor of the province.

His grandfather, Raul, was a stalwart of Northern Samar politics and a former deputy speaker in the House of Representatives, with a political legacy spanning decades.

With his win, Niko Raul continues the Daza’s political lineage, becoming the third generation to represent the first district of Northern Samar in Congress.

(PETER PAREDES)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) is closely monitoring the potential impact of the ongoing crisis at the San Juanico Bridge on the region’s tourism industry, which is still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DOT-8 Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said that while the region posted a positive tourism performance at the start of 2025—with a 7% increase in arrivals compared to the same period last year—the situation at the San Juanico Bridge is a growing concern.

In the first quarter of 2025, Eastern Visayas recorded over 300,000 tourist arrivals, significantly higher than the more than 226,000 arrivals during the same period in 2024.

“We are monitoring the efforts of government agencies to repair the San Juanico Bridge because this issue is already having an effect on our tourism industry,” Tiopes said.

To better understand the scope of the impact, the DOT is conducting a survey among tourism stakeholders in the region, particularly those operating on both sides of the bridge.

“We are asking stakeholders to share the actual effects they are currently experiencing and their projections for the coming months. We know that repairs to the San Juanico Bridge may take time,” she added.

Among the immediate impacts identified is the disruption in the supply chain, particularly for goods and food items needed by tourism establishments for daily operations.

Tiopes emphasized that understanding the current and potential impacts will allow the DOT to develop appropriate intervention plans, in coordination with local government units and the private sector.

To further address the issue, the tourism department is set to hold dialogues with stakeholders from both Leyte and Samar to craft both short-term and long-term plans aimed at mitigating the effects of the load restrictions at the San Juanico Bridge.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)