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Pia Lee-Brago - The Philippine Star
May 12, 2025 | 12:00am
Local tourists pose for souvenir photos at San Juanico Bridge in Tacloban City on March 15, 2025.
Noel Pabalate / The Philippine STAR
MANILA, Philippines — The 2.16-kilometer-long San Juanico Bridge is now subject to enhanced restrictions following recent assessments indicating structural vulnerabilities, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said yesterday.
Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, OCD administrator, said that the OCD Region 8 deployed personnel to verify the situation and coordinate with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials.
Nepomuceno said President Marcos ordered the strict enforcement of the weight limit and coordination with local government units.
As a temporary measure, Marcos also directed the use of roll-on/roll-off vessels such as routes from Catbalogan to Tacloban or Calbayog to Tacloban to maintain connectivity while authorities address the structural issues.
The recent assessment identified potential damage to some structural components of the San Juanico Bridge – one of the longest bridges in the country connecting Samar and Leyte in the Visayas. This prompted authorities to restrict heavier vehicles and implement traffic controls to prevent overloads and mitigate risks.
The Eastern Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, chaired by OCD Director Lord Byron Torrecarion, convened an emergency meeting to formulate a unified response. The council issued a memorandum for the strict enforcement of the restrictions and fostering close collaboration with local government units to garner community support.
A new memorandum, signed by Torrecarion and addressed to all Provincial, City, and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils in Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Ormoc City and Tacloban City, outlines additional safety measures.
Effective immediately, only light vehicles not exceeding three metric tons axle load are allowed to cross the San Juanico Bridge. All vehicles must traverse along the bridge centerline and proceed one at a time, in strict compliance with on-site traffic management personnel. Heavy vehicles, including commercial cargo trucks and buses, are prohibited from using the bridge until further notice.
The OCD said these restrictions aim to safeguard public safety and minimize structural stress while urgent repair and maintenance works are coordinated.
A joint task force comprising personnel from the DPWH, Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines has been stationed at strategic points near the bridge. The teams conduct vehicle weighing, traffic checks, and enforcement activities to prevent overloads, ensure safety, and facilitate smooth traffic flow.
“Our goal is to prevent incidents and ensure our infrastructure can withstand natural hazards,” Nepomuceno said.
“President Marcos has instructed us to ensure that our roads and bridges are resilient against earthquakes and other risks, so tragedies like the collapse of the Isabela Bridge are not repeated,” he added.
Residents and travelers are advised to stay updated through official channels for further advisories.
