P500M set for San Juanico Bridge rehab, Marcos pushes for faster work

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to accelerate the rehabilitation and retrofitting of the San Juanico Bridge, citing the mounting inconvenience to residents, businesses, and commuters due to ongoing restrictions on the iconic structure.

Speaking during the launch of Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project in Palo, Leyte on Monday, Marcos announced that over P500 million has been allocated to restore the bridge’s load limit to 12–15 metric tons by December 2025.

The funding aims to ease traffic and logistical bottlenecks that have severely affected the flow of goods and mobility in Eastern Visayas.

“Alam ko pong ramdam ninyo ang abala rito sa Leyte dahil sa kalagayan ng San Juanico Bridge. Mahaba ang pila, mabagal ang biyahe. Maraming naaabala (I know that you can feel the inconvenience here in Leyte because of the condition of the San Juanico Bridge. The lines are long, the travel is slow. Many are being inconvenienced),” Marcos said in his speech.

He acknowledged that while rehabilitation efforts have begun, more work is needed to fully address the disruptions caused by structural restrictions.

The bridge currently operates under load limitations due to safety concerns, leading to significant delays, particularly in the transport of essential goods.

According to recent reports from the Philippine Coast Guard, the movement of perishable cargo has improved, with waiting times reduced to one to two hours. Non-perishable goods now face delays of two to four hours—a significant improvement from earlier this year when trucks reportedly waited up to four days to cross.

Despite the progress, the President emphasized that full restoration remains a priority.

He urged the DPWH to speed up construction and ensure quality completion to restore the bridge’s original 33-metric-ton capacity — crucial for supporting the region’s growing economic activity and commercial traffic.

“Kaya sa DPWH ay talagang tinutulak natin sila na bilisan ang retrofitting. Tapos para matapos agad nang maayos (That’s why I’m pushing the DPWH to hasten the retrofitting so it would be immediately completed),” he said, noting that even regions in Mindanao are feeling the economic impact of the reduced bridge capacity.

Marcos said he has instructed both the DPWH and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to act swiftly in resolving the issue.

“Inatasan ko na ang DPWH at DBM na hanapan agad ito ng solusyon. Agaran tayong kumilos, at patuloy na kikilos upang muling maging ligtas at matibay ang San Juanico Bridge (I have instructed the DPWH and DBM to immediately find a solution to this. We will act promptly, and we will continue to take action so that the San Juanico Bridge becomes safe and sturdy once again),” he said.

The San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge in the Philippines that spans a body of seawater, connects the islands of Leyte and Samar and serves as a vital link in the Eastern Visayas transport corridor.

Rehabilitation works are ongoing to ensure its long-term safety and structural integrity.