Business groups urge gov’t to fast-track Calbiga Bridge repair

PALO, Leyte — The rehabilitation of the iconic San Juanico Bridge may have eased traffic congestion for truckers and logistics firms in Tacloban City and Samar, but it has not fully resolved transport bottlenecks along the Maharlika Highway linking Luzon to Mindanao.

Before reaching Tacloban City from Luzon, cargo trucks pass through the town of Calbiga in Samar, where they must cross the Calbiga Bridge, a roughly 360-meter structure that has become a critical chokepoint for the movement of goods.

Since 27 October 2025, the Calbiga Bridge has been declared off-limits to heavy trucks and wing vans weighing more than 15 tons, pending repair and retrofitting by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

A structural assessment conducted by the DPWH–Samar 2nd District Engineering Office found several issues, including corrosion, damaged bearings, and loose girder connections.

DPWH estimates that P140 million will be required for the bridge’s retrofitting and repair.

The business sector, through the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban-Leyte and the Philippine Constructors Association Leyte Chapter, is urging the national government, through the Regional Development Council (RDC), to include the Calbiga Bridge rehabilitation among funding priorities.

In a letter sent Wednesday to the RDC Eastern Visayas, PCCI Tacloban-Leyte President Eugene Tan sought endorsement for the urgent rehabilitation, reinforcement, and structural upgrading of the bridge.

The letter was addressed to Leyte Gov. Carlos Jerico Petilla, who also serves as RDC chair for Eastern Visayas.

Tan said that while the reopening of San Juanico Bridge to increased load capacity significantly eased transport constraints and reduced operational costs, the limitations of Calbiga Bridge have emerged as a major bottleneck.

He noted that heavy trucks are now forced to take an alternative route of about 250 kilometers via Eastern Samar, resulting in additional logistics costs estimated at P10,000 to P15,000 per trip.

“This has placed a substantial burden on businesses, contractors, and suppliers operating not only within the region but also in other parts of the country that rely on this vital corridor,” Tan stated.

Business groups said addressing the Calbiga Bridge issue would “greatly enhance connectivity, ensure public safety, and promote economic efficiency and growth in the region.”