The iconic San Juanico Bridge is now subject to enhanced restrictions following recent assessments that revealed structural vulnerabilities, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced.
Police and military personnel have been deployed to strategic areas of the bridge, located in Eastern Visayas, to help enforce the new restrictions after the assessment indicated potential damage.
OCD chief Ariel Nepomuceno said that the deployment is part of a broader initiative to safeguard the San Juanico Bridge—which connects Samar and Leyte—while ensuring the safety of travelers and nearby communities.
“These teams conduct vehicle weighing, traffic checks, and enforcement activities to prevent overloading, ensure safety, and facilitate smooth traffic flow,” Nepomuceno said.
On May 8, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) issued a memorandum imposing a temporary axle load limit of three tons for all vehicles crossing the San Juanico Bridge.
According to the memorandum, all vehicles must travel along the bridge’s centerline and cross one at a time, under the strict supervision of on-site traffic management personnel.
Additionally, heavy vehicles—including commercial cargo trucks and buses—are temporarily banned from using the bridge.
Nepomuceno emphasized that the government is actively monitoring the situation and working on long-term solutions to restore the bridge’s full capacity.
“Our goal is to prevent incidents and ensure that our infrastructure can withstand natural hazards,” he said.