The Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel admitted on Thursday, May 29, that the ongoing restrictions at the San Juanico Bridge have become a serious problem for the agricultural sector.
In an ambush interview in Muntinlupa City, Secretary Laurel said that numerous trucks carrying goods have been stranded and unable to cross.
“Isang malaking problema nga pala natin sa agrikultura yung problema sa San Juanico, maraming naipit na mga truck,” he said.
Laurell shared that DA has already deployed personnel to assess the situation on the ground in affected areas of the bridge’s restrictions and explore possible solutions.
Laurel said they are now coordinating with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of National Defense (DND), and local government units to address the issue.
“Ang DA nagpapunta na ng tao sa lugar para macheck kung ano-anong mga options. We are coordinating with DOTr, with DND, [and] LGUs,” he said.
Laurel also revealed that the Department of National Defense is planning to lease a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel or a landing craft tank (LCT) to assist in transporting stranded vehicles, particularly those loaded with agricultural goods.
“Alam ko ang DND maghihire ng isang roro o LCT [Landing Craft Transport] para to help transport trucks to point-to-point,” Laurel explained.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is strictly enforcing a three-ton load limit on the San Juanico Bridge—which connects the islands of Samar and Leyte, due to the urgent need for major rehabilitation and retrofitting of the structure.
