DPWH assesses contractors for San Juanico Bridge fix

San Juanico Bridge in 2022. (File Photo By Patrickroque01/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

By Sarwell Meniano, Philippine News Agency

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is assessing the capabilities of potential contractors in Eastern Visayas to undertake the strengthening of the San Juanico Bridge within this year.

DPWH Regional Director Edgar Tabacon said the retrofitting works contract is time-pressured and demands both strong technical and financial capabilities from contractors.

“We are evaluating the track records of our active contractors in the region. We are also in coordination with our local government units if they can recommend qualified contractors to strengthen the bridge,” Tabacon said in a press briefing on Monday.

Tabacon said strengthening work is estimated to cost PHP1 billion, based on the revised plan mapped by its consultant, Angel Lazaro & Associates International. The agency initially planned to raise the load capacity of the bridge to 12 tons by December from the three-ton load restrictions imposed since May 15.

However, the DPWH has now decided to work towards restoring the bridge’s original 33-ton load capacity.

“We decided to work on restoring the original load capacity since there’s no big difference in terms of funding requirements between 12 tons and 33 tons,” Tabacon explained.

The 33-ton load limit is more than double the previously targeted 10 to 12 tons for a five-month period set during the May 30 meeting between DPWH officials, led by Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and the consultant.

The DPWH clarified that the retrofitting is a temporary measure until a second San Juanico Bridge is built, with plans for construction to start in 2027.

The three-ton load limit, imposed on the 53-year-old, 2.16-kilometer bridge, has severely restricted trucks and buses from crossing, causing significant logistical hurdles for Leyte and Samar provinces.