Eastern samar: Citing concerns over worsening road conditions, Eastern Samar lone district Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales is considering measures to limit the passage of heavily loaded trucks along the province's highways. Gonzales, in a statement on Thursday, said the proposal addresses concerns about local roads deteriorating faster due to the increase in heavy vehicles in recent months, which he personally observed through a rise in large trucks on major roads.

According to Philippines News Agency, the surge in truck traffic was attributed to the enforcement of a load limit on the Calbiga Bridge in Samar. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) imposed a strict 15-ton gross vehicle weight (GVW) limit on the bridge effective Oct. 27, 2025, due to structural deterioration. Under the restriction, only one vehicle is allowed to cross at a time, and heavy trucks are prohibited.

With the load restriction in place, Eastern Samar has become the only viable alternative route, resulting in a noticeable increase in heavy truck traffic across the province. This has raised concerns over road deterioration along key sections of the national highway, particularly the Wright-Taft, Taft-Borongan, Borongan-Buenavista, and Buenavista-Lawaan routes.

'We don't want to wake up one day and find our roads heavily damaged because of the unrestricted access of these trucks,' Gonzales said. He noted that while the affected roads are classified as national highways, they were not designed to accommodate sustained heavy-load traffic at their current scale. He also cited the growing number of potholes in several areas, adding that the ongoing rainy season is accelerating the damage.

In an interview, Eastern Samar District Engineering Office Officer-in-Charge, District Engineer Jehela Roxas, said implementing vehicle load restrictions would require close coordination among local government units and the Department of Transportation. She emphasized the need to establish an effective enforcement mechanism should weight limitations be imposed.

Roxas added that a major challenge is the lack of weighbridges in the province. She said weighbridges must first be installed in the towns of Taft, Arteche, and Lawaan - the three main gateways to Eastern Samar - to properly monitor and regulate vehicle weight before any restrictions can be effectively enforced. Authorities are evaluating potential measures and coordination efforts to balance road protection with the continued flow of regional transport and trade.