Manila, May 20 -- The entire Samar province has been placed under a state of emergency on Tuesday as the San Juanico Bridge limit disrupts the flow of supplies from Leyte Island.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) approved the declaration during its 150th regular session in Catbalogan City, the provincial capital.

Since May 15, the Department of Public Works and Highways has limited the use of the 53-year-old 2.16-kilometer bridge to vehicles with gross weight of 3 tons as part of the bridge's two-year rehabilitation.

This has affected the transport of fuel, medical supplies, and other essential goods from Tacloban City, Vice Governor Arnold Tan told journalists after the session.

"The declaration (of state of emergency) ...