At least four roll-on, roll off (RORO) passenger ferries capable of carrying cargo trucks were deployed in Eastern Visayas to ease the burden of the load capacity limitations imposed on the San Juanico Bridge amid the plan to rehabilitate the iconic bridge over structural integrity issues.

Lite Ferry 17 was first deployed on May 20, or five days after the truck ban took effect at the 53-year old San Juanico Bridge that connects Samar and Leyte provinces.

The vessel operates a daily midnight trip between Maya, Daanbantayan, Cebu and Calbayog City, with the capacity to carry seventeen 10-wheeler trucks and 550 passengers.

Lucio Roger E. Lim, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Lite Ferries, said the deployment of RORO/passenger ferries was aimed at minimizing disruptions to trade and mobility across Eastern Visayas.

He said three more were deployed later as further restrictions were imposed on the San Juanico Bridge, the second deployment involved Lite Ferry 27 that was tasked to alternate with Lite Ferry 17.

Lite Ferry 27 operates a daily 12:00 noon trip on the same Maya–Calbayog route and can accommodate twenty 10-wheeler trucks and 280 passengers.

Lim said the third vessel, Lite Ferry 29, was also deployed to service the Bogo City/Maya–Matnog, Sorsogon route, adding that it has a capacity of twenty 10-wheeler trucks and 330 passengers.

“This vessel offers a critical transport alternative for cargo and travelers impacted by current restrictions in San Juanico Bridge. From the previous four trips weekly, service with Matnog to Bogo/Maya has now been increased into a daily midnight departure from both destinations,” said Lim.

And to further boost inter-island connectivity, Lim said they are also set to deploy Lite Ferry FIVE on the Dapitan City–Dumaguete City route starting the second week of June this year.

As an alternative link along the Western Nautical Highway, he said the vessel can carry twenty 10-wheeler trucks, five 4-wheeler vehicles, and up to 540 passengers.

"Lite Ferries remains committed to supporting Eastern Visayas by providing reliable transport alternatives during this crucial infrastructure rehabilitation," Lim said.

The Lite Ferries, however, assured the public that it strictly complies with the government standards across all its routes.

For voyages exceeding four hours for instance, it said all vessels are equipped exclusively with lying accommodations to ensure maximum comfort and rest specially for drivers and helpers.

Lim said the new schedules are expected to significantly ease transport bottlenecks caused by the San Juanico Bridge restrictions, and offer relief to logistics providers, truck drivers.

Source: Manila Bulletin.