Tacloban City: Government agencies are set to expand their free shuttle service next week, addressing the transport needs of students crossing the San Juanico Bridge for the commencement of the school year. This initiative aims to alleviate the challenges faced by students commuting from villages in Sta. Rita, Samar, to attend classes in the northern part of Tacloban City.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Education (DepEd) highlighted observations from the previous school year, noting that hundreds of students walked along the bridge to reach their schools. DepEd Eastern Visayas Regional Director Ronelo Al Firmo emphasized the importance of prioritizing students for the free shuttle service, especially during morning and afternoon rush hours.
To ensure safety and operational efficiency, the Regional Inter-Agency Coordinating Council Task Force San Juanico has restricted pedestrian access on the bridge. In response, the task force has deployed 10 light vehicles from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Tingog Partylist, and authorized providers from the Land Transport and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to facilitate the free shuttle service.
Task force head Lord Byron Torrecarion, who is also the regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), indicated that they might request additional shuttle units from LTFRB if necessary for the new school year. Torrecarion also mentioned ongoing efforts to provide fuel subsidies for the shuttle service and requested the Department of Budget and Management to expedite the transfer of OCD funds for acquiring mass transport vehicles.
The Regional Development Council has previously endorsed a request by the OCD to release PHP195 million in funds for immediate crisis response. This funding is intended to support the operations center and other government efforts addressing the current transportation crisis.
The DPWH has enforced a three-ton load limit on the bridge since May 15, following recommendations from consultants after a detailed assessment of the bridge's superstructure. Spanning 2.16 kilometers, the San Juanico Bridge is the longest bridge on the Pan-Philippine Highway, connecting Luzon and Mindanao. It was constructed between 1969 and 1973.
