San Juanico bridge rehab spells logistics nightmare

CEBU, Philippines — Retailers and logistics operators across Samar are warning of severe supply chain breakdowns following the abrupt enforcement of weight restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge—Eastern Visayas’ main land-based transport artery—fueling fears of a prolonged economic disruption unless urgent government intervention materializes.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) imposed a strict three-ton load limit on the 50-year-old bridge on May 14 after structural assessments revealed advanced corrosion and buckling. The decision has effectively severed the primary distribution route between the regional logistics hub of Tacloban City in Leyte and the island of Samar, paralyzing the movement of goods ranging from consumer staples to critical healthcare supplies.

“The bridge closure is a disaster for retail,” said Robert Go, spokesperson for the Philippine Retailers Association–Cebu (PRA-Cebu) and owner of Prince Hypermart outlets in Catbalogan and Guiuan.

“We are out of stock on essential goods like bottled water and other high-weight items. There was no warning, no preparation—overnight, trucks were banned,” Go said.

Go mentioned that his Tacloban-based warehouses can no longer service his Samar branches due to the weight limits. “A delivery truck alone weighs nearly one ton—what’s left is insufficient for restocking shelves. Maritime alternatives are either unavailable or cost-prohibitive,” he added, noting the absence of direct shipping lines from Cebu to major Samar towns.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has declared a state of calamity in the affected areas, triggering automatic price freezes on basic commodities. But business leaders argue the measure compounds the problem.

“With elevated transport costs via alternative routes, suppliers won’t absorb losses, and retailers are legally barred from adjusting prices. That means no inventory is moving,” Go said.

In a rare show of unity, five major business organizations in Eastern Visayas—including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Tacloban Leyte and the Philippine Constructors Association–Leyte Chapter—issued Joint Resolution No. 01, Series of 2025, calling for the immediate rollout of an Emergency Economic Mitigation Plan.

“This has caused widespread supply chain paralysis across retail, agriculture, construction, and health sectors,” the resolution reads. “With no viable alternative logistics corridors, the economic consequences are escalating daily—threatening regional food security, investor confidence, and disaster resilience.”

The resolution, formally adopted on May 15, seeks the allocation of P900 million for urgent bridge rehabilitation, P5 million for port upgrades, expedited deployment of roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels, and the creation of a multi-agency task force to oversee the crisis response. Financial assistance for MSMEs and guaranteed delivery of medical supplies are also part of the proposal submitted to Malacañang and Congress.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Basey, Samar on June 11 to assess the crisis and announced interim measures to mitigate its impact.

“We will establish a system to prioritize the movement of perishable goods,” Marcos said during an inspection of Amandayehan Port. The President cited the case of a truck driver whose vegetable cargo spoiled after days of waiting for a Ro-Ro ferry, due to limited vessel availability and port bottlenecks.

“Those aren’t refrigerated trucks—produce simply rots. The losses are devastating,” Marcos said.

Marcos directed the DPWH to begin phased load restoration for the San Juanico Bridge, targeting a gradual increase from the current three-ton cap to 12 tons by December. DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan confirmed structural retrofitting is underway, though maintenance lapses in prior decades have left the iconic bridge in a precarious state.

From the outside, it still looks solid. But underneath, corrosion is widespread,” Marcos said, citing failure to adhere to the bridge’s mandated triennial maintenance schedule.

While the national government has moved to deploy additional Ro-Ro vessels and expand port capacities in the region, business groups warn that logistical alternatives remain insufficient.

“Even with Ro-Ro options, costs have increased significantly, delivery timelines have lengthened, and construction projects are at risk of delay,” the resolution stated. “Unless the government accelerates planning, funding, and execution, this crisis could trigger a long-term economic slowdown.”

Go, meanwhile, cautions that without clear timetables and financial relief, Samar’s retail sector may contract further. “The damage is already here. Our only question now is whether the government can act fast enough to contain it.”

As the San Juanico Bridge—once a symbol of regional unity—now stands as a logistical chokepoint, the coming weeks will test whether Eastern Visayas can stabilize its commercial lifelines, or slide deeper into economic isolation. — (FREEMAN)