Dumaguete: Authorities and stakeholders in Negros Oriental are working swiftly to address the sudden influx of cargo trucks rerouted to the province amid the ongoing repair of the San Juanico Bridge in the Eastern Visayas region.
According to Philippines News Agency, Police Executive Master Sgt. Aurelio Bodo, chief of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Team (PHPT) in the province, announced that they have relocated more than 20 trucks to safer areas to help decongest traffic and mitigate potential economic disruptions. Bodo emphasized the collaborative efforts of the PHPT with key stakeholders to manage the increased truck traffic traveling from Luzon to Mindanao due to the bridge repairs, which connects Samar and Leyte.
A strategic meeting on Thursday included the PHPT, the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), and provincial officials to devise solutions. NOCCI president Edward Du explained that trucks weighing three tons or more are prohibited from using the San Juanico Bridge, necessitating their rerouted travel through Dumaguete and onward to Mindanao via Dapitan City. He highlighted that the diverted trucks from the Eastern seaboard find the closest route to Mindanao from Dumaguete City.
Du noted the congestion in key roads such as the Looc bypass, Flores Avenue, and Barangay Bantayan due to the large trucks, as they transport goods between Luzon and Mindanao. With no alternative routes, drivers are compelled to wait for their scheduled ferry trips. To alleviate the situation, stakeholders are identifying temporary parking sites, enhancing coordination with port and traffic authorities, and engaging the private sector to find logistical solutions. Safety and timely cargo delivery remain top concerns.
On Thursday morning, the PHPT supervised the relocation of trucks to the Sibulan diversion road and a holding area in Barangay Camanjac. Bodo reassured that efforts are underway to manage the situation, ensuring road safety and efficient cargo movement while safeguarding public welfare.
