San Juanico bridge rehab spells logistics nightmare

Retailers and logistics operators across Samar are warning of severe supply chain breakdowns following the abrupt enforcement of weight restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge—Eastern Visayas’ main land-based transport artery—fueling fears of a prolonged economic disruption unless urgent government intervention materializes.

- Ehda M. Dagooc Staff Member

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) imposed a strict three-ton load limit on the 50-year-old bridge on May 14 after structural assessments revealed advanced corrosion and buckling. The decision has effectively severed the primary distribution route between the regional logistics hub of Tacloban City in Leyte and the island of Samar, paralyzing the movement of goods ranging from consumer staples to critical healthcare supplies.

“The bridge closure is a disaster for retail,” said Robert Go, spokesperson for the Philippine Retailers Association—Cebu (PRA-Cebu) and owner of Prince Hypermart outlets in Catbalogan and Guiuan.

“We are out of stock on essential goods like bottled water and other high-weight items. There was no warning, no preparation—overnight, trucks were banned,” Go said.

Go mentioned that his Tacloban-based warehouses can no longer service his Samar branches due to the weight limits. “A delivery truck alone weighs nearly one ton—what’s left is insufficient for restocking shelves. Maritime alternatives are either unavailable or cost-prohibitive,” he added, noting the absence of direct shipping lines from Cebu to major Samar towns.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has declared a state of calamity in the affected areas, triggering automatic price freezes on basic commodities. But business leaders argue the measure compounds the problem.