Authorities and stakeholders in Negros Oriental have agreed to activate alternative ports to address the influx of trucks diverted from the San Juanico Bridge, which has enforced a 3-ton load limit due to structural concerns.
During a stakeholders’ meeting at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Dumaguete City on Wednesday, Dumaguete Port Manager Rey Del Moro announced that the Tandayag Port in Amlan, private ports, and the Tambobo Bay port in Siaton will be used to decongest Dumaguete and accommodate diverted cargo and passenger traffic.
Tambobo Bay, located in Barangay Bonbonon, Siaton, is now operational and open for applications from shipping lines. The Philippine Coast Guard, represented by Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, has already deployed personnel to regulate truck movement in the area.
Edward Du of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) said they are prepared to provide a holding area for trucks using the Tambobo Bay route. Meanwhile, engineer John Lester Pitogo from MARINA announced a relaxation in certificate of public convenience regulations, allowing vessels more flexibility with their departure schedules.
Highway Patrol Team provincial chief PEMS Aurelio Bodo pledged support in maintaining road safety and invited the Department of Public Works and Highways to join future discussions.
Authorities said the immediate implementation of these measures is critical to easing the logistics backlog caused by the restriction on the San Juanico Bridge, which connects Leyte and Samar.
In a related incident, a truck driver arriving from Iloilo was found dead inside his vehicle on Wednesday while awaiting a RoRo trip to Pagadian City. His helper discovered the body, and police are investigating the cause of death.
