From the original one-week deadline to make the Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar operationally safe for vehicles and people to cross the San Juanico Strait to Tacloban City, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) extended its self-imposed target to two weeks.
This was learned Monday after Transport chief Vince Dizon personally inspected the facilities at the port managed by the local government unit (LGU) rather than by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) as originally reported.
PPA general manager Jay Santiago took exception to reports that the Amandayehan Port, now the most viable and the shortest crossing point across the strait, had been slow to respond to the fast evolving travel requirements of people and vehicles in the area.
According to Santiago, the previously obscure facility known mostly by adventurous trekkers and tourists exploring the wonders of the Sohoton Caves nearby, had been thrust to more prominence in recent days following the 15 May closure of the San Juanico Bridge to all vehicles in excess of the three-ton limit.
Dizon, Santiago’s boss, personally inspected the facilities at the port on Sunday and ensured that the wharf is wide and safe enough for both vehicles and people as a jump-off point between Samar and Leyte Island. Truckers barred from crossing the bridge due to the weight limit have complained of the slow government response to the evolving logistics nightmare and the mounting costs that go with it.
For example, going back to Calbayog City 180 kilometers away to take the newly opened roll-on roll-off (RORO) ferry to Ormoc City will take at least five hours. Reports on the ground indicate that the crossing will set back truckers by P12,000 for the 10 or 12 wheelers.
But spending more time and money is better than the uncertainty created by the long queue of light vehicles still permitted to carry people and goods across the barely accessible San Juanico Bridge who must traverse the 2.1-kilometer span in single file and only at the center.
Walking across the bridge is prohibited but the various LGUs have provided free tricycle transport to those who opt for it to access buses at either end to continue their journey.
