The repair and rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge will require P7 billion, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), which also warned that any funding delays could worsen the ongoing crisis.
In a resolution dated May 25, the NDRRMC said that current traffic restrictions on the bridge could cost the economy P300 million to P600 million per month. With over 14,000 vehicles crossing daily, the disruption is already affecting vital sectors like food and fuel supply, healthcare, commercial distribution, and regional trade.
The bridge, which connects Samar and Leyte and forms part of the Maharlika Highway, has been partially closed since May 15 after structural weaknesses were discovered. Only the center lane remains open, and a three-ton load limit has been imposed, halting the passage of heavy cargo vehicles.
More than 200 vehicles have already been stranded, prompting the NDRRMC to recommend a state of calamity declaration for Eastern Visayas. Currently, Tacloban City and Samar Province are under a state of emergency.
To mitigate the disruption, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is exploring alternative transport methods, such as reopening old ports and using landing craft tanks. A “green lane” is also being planned on the bridge for essential goods.
Additionally, the government is considering building a new bridge to provide an alternative route in the region.