By Ricky Bautista
BASEY, Samar, Philippines — Eastern Visayas has been placed Friday, May 16, under Blue Alert status as the region grapples with the escalating San Juanico Bridge crisis prompted by urgent structural concerns.
According to Reyan Arinto, Regional Head of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region 8, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) raised the alert level at 12:00 noon on May 16, mandating that at least 50% of personnel from key government agencies be on standby for potential emergency operations.
The decision followed an emergency meeting led by RDRRMC Chairperson and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Lord Byron Torrecarion, who emphasized the need for swift and coordinated response efforts.
Structural Risks Trigger Emergency Measures
The San Juanico Bridge, a crucial link between the provinces of Samar and Leyte and now more than 50 years old, has shown signs of severe structural deterioration.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that recent assessments confirm the need for comprehensive rehabilitation rather than minor repairs. Restoration work is expected to span 1 to 2 years, depending on weather, funding availability, and logistical challenges.
In response, DPWH imposed immediate restrictions on May 15, limiting access to light vehicles only. Vehicles weighing over 3 tons have been barred from crossing the bridge, resulting in long queues of stranded trucks and buses on both ends.
Many motorists, especially those traveling from Luzon and Mindanao, expressed frustration over the sudden move, citing the lack of prior public advisories from concerned agencies.
“It was an emergency. We were all caught off guard. But we are doing everything we can to lessen the impact of this crisis,” Arinto explained.
Government Deploys Transport and Relief Assistance
To ease commuter burden, the DPWH began operating free 24/7 shuttle services on the night of May 15.
As of this writing, nine service vehicles—three on the Samar side and six in Tacloban—are ferrying passengers across the bridge.
Temporary facilities, including tents, portalets, and water dispensers, have also been set up on both ends to assist waiting travelers.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has mobilized to distribute food packs and essential supplies to those affected, while local government units from Basey, Santa Rita, Tacloban, and Samar province are coordinating closely to manage the unfolding situation.
Given the bridge’s critical role in the transport of fuel, goods, and supplies, officials are considering alternative logistics routes. The cities of Catbalogan and Calbayog are being eyed for roll-on/roll-off (RO-RO) vessel operations to ferry cargo directly from Luzon, Cebu, and Tacloban.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Philippine Coast Guard have been called upon to expedite maritime solutions to avert potential shortages.
PIA Takes Lead in Unified Communication
To prevent misinformation and ensure the public receives accurate and timely updates, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has been designated by the RDRRMC to lead the Public Information and Crisis Communication Task Force.
Beginning May 17, 2025, all media outlets are requested to provide airtime and space for official advisories issued by PIA, which will coordinate closely with national and local agencies.
High-Level Action and Monitoring
In a bid to fast-track solutions, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, along with the Tingog Partylist, is set to convene relevant agencies on May 17 to formulate a comprehensive response plan.
Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has committed to installing CCTV cameras in the affected areas to monitor traffic flow and public activity around the bridge.
Officials are urging the public to remain calm, follow official advisories, and cooperate with ongoing efforts to ensure public safety and mitigate further disruptions.
