Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that repairs on the San Juanico Bridge in the Visayas are now partially completed and are expected to be fully finished next year.
Speaking during his inspection of the bridge on Friday, Dec. 12, Marcos said, “Mabuti naman medyo napabilis ang trabaho at ngayon, puwede na natin buksan ito for 15 tons na truck so malaking pagbabago. Makakatawid na ’yung mga cargo truck natin na dati hindi nakatawid,” he added.
[Translation: The work is progressing faster and now, we can open this for 15-ton trucks. It’s a huge change; cargo trucks that previously could not cross can now use the bridge.]
The bridge has been under load restrictions since May due to significant structural damage affecting roadway slabs, girders, truss members, piers, footings, piles and bearing pads. The government earlier imposed a three-ton limit to prevent further deterioration.
Marcos previously said more than P500 million has been allocated for the repair project. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) earlier announced it was accelerating work to raise the load capacity to 12 to 15 tons by December.
On Dec. 10, authorities conducted a successful dry run allowing two-way traffic with an increased load limit of 15 tons.
Marcos said he hopes the bridge will be fully functional by the third quarter of 2026.
“We are hoping for the total return of the bridge’s functions to allow 33 tons, two ways, by the middle of next year—third quarter of next year—fully functional na ito,” he said.
The president also said Tacloban City officials have proposed allowing large trucks to cross the bridge at night when traffic is lighter.
He emphasized that the San Juanico Bridge’s deterioration should serve as a reminder to future leaders and government workers about the importance of consistent infrastructure maintenance.
“‘The retrofit… P1.1 billion. That is money that we could have saved if proper maintenance was carried out on San Juanico. We would not have to do any of this kung ’yung every three years iniinspeksyon, inaayos,” Marcos said. [Translation: …if inspections and repairs were done every three years,” he added.]
Built in 1969 and completed in 1973, the San Juanico Bridge is the Philippines’ third-longest bridge spanning seawater, connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte.
