MAY inilaang mga pondo ang Kongreso para sa rehabilitasyon ng San Juanico Bridge, ayon kay Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre.

Ginawa ni Acidre ang pahayag bilang tugon ang sinabi ni Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez na maaaring may pagkukulang ang Kongreso kaya hindi naagapan ang problema ng San Juanico Bridge, na ngayon ay limitadong nagagamit at hindi nadaraanan ng mga malalaking sasakyan.

“Since 2018, Congress has consistently allocated funds for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge,” ayon kay Acidre. “This is a matter of public record, and we welcome any review of it.”

Base sa datos ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), ito ang mga pondong inilaan para sa proyekto:

• ₱27 milyon noong 2018
• ₱22.2 milyon noong 2019
• ₱105 milyon noong 2021
• ₱4.3 milyon para sa emergency repairs
• ₱90.6 milyon noong 2022
• ₱150 milyon noong 2023

“These appropriations reflect Congress’ continuing commitment to infrastructure development in Eastern Visayas,” dagdag ni Acidre. “Speaker Martin Romualdez, who hails from Tacloban and represents Leyte’s 1st District, has always championed long-term investments in connectivity, including the proposal for a second San Juanico Bridge.”

Ayon kay Acidre ang problema ngayon ay dulot ng kakulangan ng maayos na pagpapatupad at koordinasyon ng mga ahensyang may tungkulin dito.

“The current situation calls for clear communication, forward planning, and stronger collaboration on the ground,” saad ng mambabatas. “We respect the concerns raised by our colleague, and we believe that rather than assign blame, this is an opportunity to work together and respond more effectively as one region.”

Noong Mayo 8, nagtakda ang DPWH ng 3-toneladang limitasyon sa bigat ng sasakyang dumaraan sa San Juanico Bridge dahil sa natuklasang kahinaan ng tulay, na naging dahilan ng abala sa biyahe at paghahatid ng mga produkto at serbisyo sa rehiyon.

Nakipagpulong si Acidre kay DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan upang talakayin ang kasalukuyang structural assessment at ang pagpapabilis ng rehabilitation program, upang mabawasan ang epekto nito sa mobilidad, kalakalan, at mga serbisyong panlipunan.

“We owe it to the people of Leyte and Samar to move quickly, efficiently, and in unity,” sabi ni Acidre. “We must ensure that rehabilitation efforts are well-communicated and backed by practical alternatives for affected sectors.”

Dagdag pa niya, “This is not about pointing fingers. It’s about finding solutions. Congress has done its part, and we remain ready to assist national agencies and local governments to restore the full function of the bridge and support the region’s recovery.”