OVERLOADING. A truck heading to Samar broke its axle while traversing the San Juanico Bridge on the night of November 3. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office here has asked truckers to comply with the anti-overloading law while passing the bridge. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office here has asked truckers to comply with the anti-overloading law following a recent incident where a truck broke its axle while passing the San Juanico Bridge.
DPWH Eastern Visayas regional director Edgar Tabacon on Monday sought the cooperation of truckers and hauling service providers to adhere to their respective prescribed gross vehicle weight (GVW) and axle load limits.
Republic Act No. 8794 or the Anti-Overloading Law mandates that a truck’s weight should not exceed 13.5 tons.
On November 3, a truck heading to Samar broke its axle while traversing the San Juanico Bridge. Fortunately, no motorists were injured and did not cause damage to the bridge's railings.
“Upon investigation, it was discovered that the said truck evaded the San Juanico Weighbridge or the portable axle weighing station, and continued traversing the said bridge without undergoing weight check to determine whether or not its weight is within the allowable gross vehicle weight,” Tabacon said in a phone interview.
The official added that they have been requiring all trucks to undergo weight check at their designated weighbridge stations on both sides of the San Juanico Bridge that connects the islands of Leyte and Samar.
“This weight checkpoint is conducted to prevent deterioration and damages to our iconic San Juanico Bridge, which is one of the most vital structures, being part of the Pan-Philippine Highway connecting Luzon to Mindanao, bringing significant economic improvement to the entire country,” Tabacon added.
The 2.16-km. San Juanico Bridge stretches from Samar to Leyte Island and is the longest bridge along the Pan-Philippine Highway that connects Luzon and Mindanao.
Built in August 1969 and completed in 1972, the bridge has stood the test of calamity, hurdling Super Typhoon Yolanda that ravaged Eastern Visayas on Nov. 8, 2013. (PNA)
