House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan on Monday called for enhanced coordination among government agencies and local authorities to ease disruptions caused by ongoing restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge.
Libanan cited the need for more proactive collaboration between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and local government units (LGUs).
“Given the significance of the San Juanico Bridge as a critical link between Samar and Leyte, it is vital that all concerned agencies work together seamlessly to ensure that contingency measures are well-planned and effectively communicated,” Libanan, a 4Ps party-list representative, said in a statement.
The DPWH imposed a three-ton gross vehicle weight limit on the bridge starting May 15 due to structural concerns and pending repairs. The bridge serves as the only land route connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte, making the weight restriction a major logistical challenge.
Party list Tingog likewise expressed concern over the ongoing disruptions caused by the partial closure of the San Juanico Bridge.
In partnership with the office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Tingog convened a multi-agency consultative meeting on May 17, bringing together more than 30 national government agencies to organize an immediate and coordinated government response.
Since then, Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre said the party list and Romualdez’s office have taken the lead in mobilizing key interventions and coordinating with concerned agencies to ensure public safety, ease the burden on affected commuters and businesses, and work toward the full restoration of transport connectivity.