The Regional Development Council (RDC) has passed a resolution requesting the Office of the President to release PHP1.17 billion for the rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge this year. Edgar Tabacon, RDC infrastructure committee chair and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional director, presented the resolution to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his visit to the bridge on Wednesday.
Approved on June 10, the resolution seeks immediate funding for the DPWH to strengthen and restore the San Juanico Bridge to its original 33-ton load capacity. It also calls on the Department of Budget and Management to identify financing sources to facilitate this funding within the year.
“The DPWH is committed to preparing all project implementation-readiness documents to facilitate immediate procurement as soon as funds are released,” Tabacon stated. He emphasized the urgency of the request, especially since the region has been declared under a state of calamity. If funds are made available, civil works could commence immediately and be completed within five months.
At least PHP500 million of the requested amount may come from the 2025 National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Funds, as previously requested by the RDC-Executive Committee from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
The PHP1.17 billion request is intended solely for strengthening the bridge, while the total rehabilitation is estimated to cost around PHP7 billion, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Tabacon noted that full rehabilitation will not occur until the completion of a second San Juanico Bridge to avoid total closure.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan mentioned that retrofitting is a temporary measure until the new bridge is constructed, with work on the new bridge expected to begin in 2027. Since May 15, a three-ton load limit on the 52-year-old San Juanico Bridge has restricted trucks and buses, causing logistical challenges in Leyte and Samar provinces. Alternative roll-on, roll-off routes for cargo trucks have been identified at several ports in the islands.