Critical Review of the DPWH Narrative on San Juanico Bridge Closure
The imposition of a three-ton weight limit on the San Juanico Bridge in May 2025 due to structural deterioration has underscored not only an engineering concern but a broader systemic issue within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). As a vital link between Leyte and Samar and a key connector in the Luzon-Visayas-Mindanao land transport chain, the San Juanico Bridge’s compromised condition raises serious questions about foresight, maintenance planning, and infrastructure governance.
Predictable Lifespan, Unanticipated Crisis
Bridges are not designed to last forever. Globally accepted engineering standards recognize a typical lifespan of 50–75 years for major bridges, with the need for substantial rehabilitation or replacement after that point. The San Juanico Bridge, opened in 1973, had clearly approached that threshold. Yet, DPWH did not initiate a comprehensive structural and foundation study until 2023—after signs of structural damage had become evident (DPWH Region VIII, 2025). The sudden enforcement of weight restrictions in May 2025 indicates a reactive, not proactive approach to infrastructure management.
Delayed Rehabilitation and Planning
According to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, early assessments found serious deterioration in some of the bridge’s piers and approach structures. Although minor repairs like bolt replacements were conducted in 2021, and a joint inspection in 2022 flagged issues such as abnormal vibrations and pier scouring, the department only secured funding for full structural analysis and repairs years later (DPWH Region VIII, 2025). This delay resulted in a crisis that could have been avoided through proper asset lifecycle management—standard practice in countries like Japan and the United States (American Society of Civil Engineers [ASCE], 2021).
Inadequate Emergency Preparedness
To manage the disruption, DPWH and partner agencies facilitated roll-on/roll-off vessel routes for cargo, installed signage, and enforced a strict 3-metric ton limit for vehicles. While this inter-agency response provided short-term relief, it reflects damage control rather than emergency preparedness rooted in contingency planning. According to Uy (2025), a business sector representative, the restrictions caused estimated economic losses of ₱10 to ₱20 million daily, underscoring the bridge’s critical economic role.
Too-Late Plans for a Second Bridge
DPWH has begun working with JICA on a second San Juanico Bridge, with detailed engineering expected by 2026. While the plan is long overdue and now classified as a flagship project of the Marcos Jr. administration, questions linger: Why was a replacement or alternate route not planned 10 or even 20 years earlier, especially when aging signs were already evident (The Manila Times, 2025)? In global infrastructure practice, redundancy is not optional—it is required for strategic links of national importance.
A Breakdown in Asset Management
The San Juanico Bridge crisis is not an isolated case—it is a reflection of a systemic weakness in infrastructure governance and asset management. It illustrates how failure to institutionalize lifecycle monitoring, proactive planning, and capital investment in redundancy exposes not just structures to failure, but entire regions to economic paralysis and public risk. The Philippines must align with international best practices by implementing stricter asset monitoring systems, professionalizing maintenance management, and requiring long-term planning for infrastructure nearing end of life.
References
American Society of Civil Engineers. (2021). 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. (Link)
DPWH Region VIII. (2025, May). Major Repair Plans for San Juanico Bridge Underway (Link)
PTV News DAC. (2025, May 21). DPWH unveils plans for new, longer bridge near San Juanico Bridge. (Link).
Uy, W. (2025, May). Economic losses due to San Juanico Bridge disruption. [Interview cited in SunStar]. (Link)
The Manila Times. (2025, May 22). Gov’t to build new bridge to replace San Juanico. (Link)