The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to implement immediate retrofitting works on the iconic San Juanico Bridge as part of an emergency response to recent assessments showing signs of structural deterioration.
In a Dos Por Dos interview, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan confirmed that vehicles carrying heavier loads are now prohibited from crossing the bridge as a precaution.
“More than 50 years na ang San Juanico bridge. Napapanahon na para marehabilitate yung existing San Juanico bridge kaya ng magkakaroon sana tayo ng panibagong parallel bridge mula sa may San Juan San Tarita papunta dito sa San Isidro sa Tacloban.
Bonoan stated that the feasibility studies for the new parallel bridge set to be financed by the Japanese government, have been completed and once it is operational, the existing San Juanico Bridge will undergo a full-scale rehabilitation and structural recreation.
However, recent preliminary assessments conducted by a local consultancy group have raised urgent concerns.
The inspection revealed structural weaknesses in two to three bridge segments, especially at the approaches, prompting immediate action.
“Lumabas yung result ng kanilang assessment nung last week and then they recommended the immediate [action], bawasan yung load at going through,” Bonoan said.
“Napapansin nila na nagwo-wobble na sa approaches, hindi doon sa main structure. Kailangan kumpunihin kaagad at kailangan bawasan na yung load na dumadaan for the time being,” he added.
As a result, the national government has temporarily banned vehicles weighing over three tons including buses, vans, and trucks from using the bridge. Only light vehicles are allowed to pass while retrofitting works are being carried out.
“Unfortunately, this is a very urgent recommendation,” the DPWH chief stressed, referring to the three-metric ton weight limit.
To address the disruption in public transport, the DPWH is coordinating with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and local government units to explore alternative transportation options.
These include the possible use of Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) barges for transporting buses and cargo between Samar and Leyte, as well as segmented bus services on either side of the bridge.
Bonoan further said the retrofitting work is only a temporary solution after structural issues were detected.
The retrofitting is expected to take three to four months and has already been designated as an emergency status, while the vehicle restrictions is projected to span two years.
“Meron bagong tulay na gagawin pero itong existing San Juanico Bridge will undergo in major rehabilitation and retrofitting works. So, eventually, there will be two parallel bridges na magbabagtas diyan sa Samar, Leyte,” he discussed.
Banoan shared that the upcoming parallel bridge, which will span approximately 2.6 kilometers — longer than the current San Juanico Bridge’s 2 kilometers is projected to take less than three years to complete.
On the other hand, Bonoan said the DPWH has been conducting an inventory of aging bridges nationwide, noting that over 1,500 bridges have been assessed so far.
He added that around half of these may require retrofitting, widening, or replacement, particularly along key trunk lines.
Meanwhile, on Friday, May 16, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Eastern Visayas (RDRRMC-8) declared a ‘blue alert' status across the region, signaling heightened preparedness for possible disruptions.
