The Tacloban City Council has declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to restricted access to the San Juanico Bridge, which connects the islands of Samar and Leyte in Eastern Visayas, as the structure awaits scheduled repairs.
In a statement from the city’s information office, the declaration aims to expedite the mobilization of necessary resources and safeguard public safety.
“With restricted access to San Juanico, the main gateway in and out of Tacloban, the city is facing serious concerns related to economic flow, emergency response, and supply chain delays,” the statement read.
“This declaration allows the local government to act faster, allocate emergency funds, and coordinate with national agencies for support,” it added.
In the same announcement, the Tacloban information office noted that Section 16 of the Local Government Code and other national disaster protocols provides for a state of emergency declaration “when public safety is at risk or when immediate action is needed to respond to a crisis or disruption of essential services.”
San Juanico Bridge, a key transport route for goods, medical supplies, and essential travel, has faced restricted access in recent days, sparking concerns over possible economic disruptions and delays in emergency response.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) estimates that emergency repairs for the bridge could cost around ₱500 million.
This comes after a recent assessment by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flagged issues regarding the structural integrity of the 2.16-kilometer bridge.
As a safety measure, the DPWH has temporarily banned vehicles exceeding three tons from using the bridge.
Since May 18, pedestrians have been barred from crossing it on foot and are instead advised to use coasters and other light vehicles.
The Samar Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had earlier recommended to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the declaration of a state of emergency in the province in response to the situation.
Constructed in 1969 and completed in 1973, San Juanico Bridge is the third longest bridge spanning a body of seawater in the Philippines.
