Survival Mode: Leyte–Samar Businesses Struggle Under Prolonged Bridge Restrictions

• Local businesses are demanding faster repairs to the San Juanico Bridge, as its 3-ton load limit is causing severe economic disruption, soaring logistics costs, and forcing companies to consider layoffs.

Jazmin Bonifacio 4 months ago 6.2 K

TACLOBAN CITY — The business community is pressing for a faster rehabilitation of the bridge due to extreme economic disruption, crippling logistical costs, and continuous decisions regarding laying off employees because of the extended load limit restrictions.

The bridge, which connects Leyte and Samar, is currently confined to a maximum load of only 3 tons. This limitation has drastically restricted commercial movements, allowing only private vehicles and light cargo to pass through, while heavier trucks are detoured to more expensive routes.

Board Member Wilson Uy, who acknowledged that his own businesses are ` truly affected, painted a bleak scenario of the consequences. He stated that the economy is suffering under stacked problems.

Uy emphasized the dependence of Samar business people on the Leyte Market of customers in Samar coming from Tacloban City and nearby towns. Due to the poor load-carrying capacity of the bridge, goods cannot be transported directly by trucks, leading to increased costs of logistics. Uy mentioned that transport costs have significantly risen, with a 10-wheeler truckload from Manila/Luzon now costing P75,000 up from P50,000 previously. This increase creates a domino effect in logistical costs, affecting consumers and the labor sector.

Uy described the current posture of the business sector as ` very silent,’ as they are more focused on survival than politics. Owners are making painful decisions like cost-cutting and layoffs to trim down operational costs and survive.

There is hope tied to a possible increase in the load limit, promised to rise from 3 tons to 12 or 15 tons by December, which would provide substantial relief and support.

In the immediate term, the business sector has formally appealed to the Office of the Civil Defense to extend the ` free ride’ subsidy program that helps transport goods. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tacloban-Leyte, Inc., has requested an extension of the initiative for another six months while the San Juanico Bridge issue is being resolved.

Board Member Uy concluded with a message of perseverance asking the affected community to remain positive despite their experiences.