TACLOBAN CITY – The Regional Development Council (RDC) VIII has made an urgent appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to allocate P1.17 billion for the immediate strengthening and restoration of the San Juanico Bridge, following newly imposed restrictions that threaten to paralyze inter-island commerce in Eastern Visayas.

In a resolution passed this week, the RDC called on the President to fund the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region VIII to restore the bridge’s original 33-ton load capacity, which has been downgraded due to structural integrity issues. Since May 15, 2025, only vehicles weighing three tons or less have been allowed to pass, disrupting critical supply routes for agriculture, health care, construction, and trade.

“The San Juanico Bridge is not only the sole permanent land connection between Samar and Leyte—it’s a lifeline for the region’s economy and disaster response,” the RDC emphasized, noting that the bridge serves over 14,000 vehicles daily, 10% of which are cargo trucks.

Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, who chairs the council, said that they are optimistic that their request will be given appropriate action by the President.

“Let us hope that the President will approve this so that by December, or before December, the bridge will be restored to carry more than 30 tons,” she said.

“If this happens before year-end, things would have improved significantly,” Torres-Gomez added.

The council proposed sourcing at least P500 million of the requested amount from the Fiscal Year 2025 National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) to jumpstart the rehabilitation.

This appeal comes just days after President Marcos signed Proclamation No. 920 on June 5, declaring a state of calamity in Eastern Visayas. Local governments in Tacloban City, Samar, and Eastern Samar have also declared states of emergency, underscoring the regional scale of the crisis.

The resolution was personally handed to the President by DPWH-8 Regional Director Edgar B. Tabacon during Marcos’ visit to the region on Wednesday.

Officials say restoring the San Juanico Bridge’s full load-bearing capacity is essential not only for economic recovery but also for ensuring safe and timely responses during natural disasters.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Tingog party-list Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre joined House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac in launching the DMW–OWWA OFW Global Centre in Hong Kong.

The center, aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to bring services closer to overseas Filipinos, serves as a “home away from home” for OFWs and marks the start of the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo – OFW Serbisyo Caravan, which brings key agencies like SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, DSWD, and PRC directly to migrant workers.

Rep. Acidre, chair of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, called the facility a fulfillment of a long-held vision and credited Rep. Yedda Romualdez for inspiring the project.

He also cited the passage of the Bagong Balikbayan Act and ongoing efforts to address delayed balikbayan boxes, and announced that OFWs may soon earn online college degrees under the ETEEAP Act.

“This center is a tribute to the sacrifices of our modern-day heroes,” Acidre said. “It stands as proof that your country is always with you.”

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)