PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said the ongoing rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge is running ahead of schedule, allowing heavier cargo trucks to cross the structure months earlier than expected.
During an inspection of the bridge, Marcos pointed out that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed sufficient reinforcement work to allow the safe passage of 15-ton trucks, an improvement from the earlier limit that forced most cargo vehicles to take longer routes or load onto roll-on/roll-off vessels.
“We were hoping that by Christmas or New Year, the 12-ton trucks would be moving again. It’s good that the work has sped up a bit, and now we can open it to 15-ton trucks,” he said.
The President added that local governments in Tacloban and Samar are studying a proposal to allow one-way crossings for heavier trucks during off-peak hours. Under that scheme, vehicles up to 30 tons may be allowed to pass at night when traffic is lighter.
Marcos said these adjustments would ease transport bottlenecks and lower logistics costs in Eastern Visayas, which had been burdened by rerouting and additional shipping expenses since the bridge’s deterioration was discovered.
“It will also bring down transport costs, which will also bring down the price of goods,” he said.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon told the president that full restoration of the bridge, enabling two-way crossings of 33-ton trucks, is targeted by the third quarter of 2026.
President Marcos emphasized that the P1.1-billion retrofit could have been avoided had the bridge received regular inspections and maintenance over the years.
“That is money we could have saved if proper maintenance was carried out,” he said, calling it a lesson for future administrations and agencies responsible for national infrastructure.
He warned that the damage to San Juanico caused setbacks not just in convenience but in commerce, affecting food supply chains, raw materials, manufacturers, and retailers across the region.
Still, the President said he is satisfied that the project remains close to its deadline.
