In a critical move to address the disrupted supply route to Samar, key government agencies convened for an emergency meeting led by the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
At the forefront of the discussions was Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, who strongly advocated for swift, coordinated action to safeguard the province’s access to essential supplies.
“We need swift, coordinated action to safeguard Samar’s access to essential supplies.”
The disruption stems from limitations at the San Juanico Bridge, a vital link between Samar and the rest of the country.
Tan emphasized the urgent need to mitigate the impact on the province’s supply chain, highlighting the potential consequences for residents and local businesses if the issue remains unresolved.
“Ensuring the steady flow of goods and services to Samar is not only a matter of economic stability but also a matter of public safety and welfare,” the lady governor stated during the high-level meeting.
Presided over by Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, Administrator of the Office of Civil Defense and Executive Director of the NDRRMC, the meeting brought together top officials including Director Maria Agnes Palacio of the Operations Service, Director Lord Byron Torrecarion of OCD Region VIII, and representatives from DILG, DPWH, the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, and the Tacloban City local government.
Held at the NDRRMC Operations Center’s Main Conference Room in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the session focused on developing immediate strategies to address the logistical challenges posed by the San Juanico Bridge’s limitations.
Tan’s proactive stance and close coordination with national agencies underscored her commitment to ensuring the resilience of Samar’s supply network.
As collaborative solutions continue to be explored, Tan reaffirmed her office’s readiness to implement necessary interventions in partnership with all concerned agencies.
“The people of Samar can be rest assured that we are doing everything in our power to keep the lifelines of the province open and functioning.”
“The people of Samar can be rest assured that we are doing everything in our power to keep the lifelines of the province open and functioning,” Tan said.
The meeting marks a crucial step forward in strengthening regional preparedness and response efforts amid infrastructure bottlenecks.
