(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – Barge operations for transporting heavy vehicles between Leyte and Biliran provinces commenced on Saturday, January 4, 2025, following new weight restrictions imposed on the Biliran Bridge.
The provincial government of Biliran, in partnership with the Biliran Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), sought assistance from LCT ASC Susan operators to facilitate the movement of heavy vehicles into the province.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) implemented weight restrictions on the bridge after an assessment revealed structural issues that could compromise its integrity and safety.
Currently, only light vehicles weighing five tons or less are allowed to cross the bridge. Heavier vehicles, including buses, cargo trucks, and fuel tankers, must now use the barge service.
“The provincial government of Biliran will shoulder the monthly barge rental expenses through the calamity fund, while fuel charges will be covered by daily operations through transport fees to ensure long-term sustainability,” Governor Gerard Roger Espina said in a statement Saturday, Jan. 4.
Espina has also directed Task Force Biliran Bridge to establish an incident command system to ensure that all protocols related to the bridge’s operations are followed.
The BCCI, as part of the task force, is overseeing the smooth operation of the barge service.
In a social media update, the BCCI informed motorists that while an initial tariff rate for the barge operation has been approved, the rates will be reassessed after one week of operations.
“Reassessment of imposed fees will be made after a week of operation once the average daily volume of vehicles utilizing the LCT is determined vis-à-vis the operational costs,” the BCCI stated.
From January 5 to January 12, the barge will operate from 8 am to 5 pm on a first-come, first-served basis. Trucks carrying highly flammable and hazardous cargoes are prohibited from being transported alongside other moving cargoes in compliance with Maritime Industry Authority and Coast Guard regulations.
The initial tariff rates for the barge service are as follows: six-wheeler vehicles at P1,500 per trip, 10- and 12-wheeler cargo trucks at P2,000, heavy equipment/dump trucks at P4,000, other heavy equipment with trailers at P5,000, and passenger buses at P2,000. Trucks carrying fuel and hazardous cargo will be charged P20,000 per trip.
The BCCI clarified that vehicles carrying hazardous cargo will have special trips, and the P20,000 fare will be divided among the fuel trucks on those trips.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
