Biz leaders warn bridge restrictions to hurt economy

CEBU, Philippines — A coalition of major business and industry groups in Eastern Visayas has issued a joint resolution calling on the Philippine government to immediately craft and implement an urgent economic mitigation plan in response to a newly enforced axle-load restriction on the San Juanico Bridge, a key infrastructure link between the islands of Leyte and Samar.

The resolution, signed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Tacloban-Leyte, the national Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Tacloban Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Philippine Constructors Association–Leyte Chapter, and the Drugstores Association of the Philippines, was adopted in Tacloban City on May 15, 2025. It follows a May 8 directive from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) limiting bridge access to vehicles weighing no more than 3 tons, citing structural safety concerns after a recent inspection.

The move has effectively halted the movement of heavy trucks and buses across the bridge, disrupting supply chains critical to agriculture, health services, construction, and disaster response logistics in Eastern Visayas—one of the Philippines’ most vulnerable and least connected regions.

Business leaders are warning that the restrictions could inflict long-term economic damage unless mitigated swiftly.

“The San Juanico Bridge is not just a symbol of regional unity—it is a lifeline for commerce, logistics, and public safety,” said Eugene A. Tan, President of PCCI Tacloban-Leyte.

“This bottleneck threatens to drive up freight costs, stall infrastructure projects, and push up consumer prices,” Tan emphasized.

The resolution urges the Regional Development Council VIII (RDC VIII) to convene a special session to craft a comprehensive mitigation plan. The proposed strategy includes a range of emergency measures: the declaration of a state of calamity, fast-tracked rehabilitation of the bridge, allocation of P900 million in immediate public works spending, and regulatory actions to manage ferry traffic and pricing for diverted cargo.

The joint appeal also calls for the formation of a multi-agency emergency response task force, mobilization of alternative ports, deployment of medical and food assistance for stranded travelers, and zero-interest loan support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) impacted by supply chain delays.

“Any delay in policy response will erode investor confidence and expose the region to deeper vulnerability,” said Consul Enunina V. Mangio, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

According to Mangio, Eastern Visayas cannot afford economic isolation—not now, and not in the face of growing national demands for logistics and resilience.

The San Juanico Bridge, which spans over 2 kilometers and was completed in 1973, is a vital component of the Pan-Philippine Highway (AH26), connecting the Visayas to the rest of the archipelago. With limited alternatives for bulk cargo movement, the current restrictions are expected to place intense pressure on regional ports and shipping lines.

Initial attempts to divert cargo to roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferries have been insufficient, business groups noted, citing limited vessel availability, rising costs, and prolonged transit times.

The resolution recommends fast-tracking Ro-Ro permits, incentivizing additional vessel operators, and investing in supporting infrastructure, including port rehabilitation and digital communications systems.

The coalition’s resolution has been formally transmitted to the Office of the President, the Senate and House of Representatives, and all relevant line agencies including DPWH, DOTr, DTI, FDA, PNP, and NDRRMC.

Business leaders are also urging the government to adopt economic data tracking and impact assessments through agencies such as the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the Philippine Statistics Authority to inform ongoing response strategies.

“We are not merely reacting to a local crisis,” said Johny Go, President of the Tacloban Filipino-Chinese Chamber.

“This is a test of the country’s capacity to preserve economic connectivity and protect the viability of inter-island trade,” Go added.

As of this writing, the axle-load restriction on San Juanico Bridge remains in force, with no announced timeline for its lifting.

Stakeholders are warning that unless action is taken swiftly, the region’s recovery momentum—already fragile post-pandemic—may stall once more.