Manila: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently held a wrap-up meeting for the Fact-Finding Mission on the Second San Juanico Bridge (SSJB) Construction Project. A media release of the DPWH on Friday said Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain confirmed that they are finalizing the feasibility study on the project and the final report is expected to be submitted to Secretary Manuel Bonoan by September - a significant milestone for this high-priority infrastructure initiative under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
According to Philippines News Agency, the construction of the new bridge, which is a JICA-assisted project, is critical to facilitate the full rehabilitation of the existing San Juanico Bridge, currently undergoing emergency repairs to address its deteriorating condition. Held on July 25, the meeting marked a key milestone in the project, with Sadain engaging with officials from JICA Headquarters-Takehiro Kido, Risa Aramaki, and Saiko Yamazaki; JICA Philippine Office Senior Representative Keisuke Fukui; and members of the JICA Study Team for SSJB, Takeyuki Takada and Buntaro Shiono.
Upon submission of the updated Interim Technical Report and economic analysis worksheets by the JICA Study Team, the DPWH official said they will start coordinating with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) for Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) processing. The department has also requested JICA to submit a draft Terms of Reference (TOR) this month. This will provide sufficient time for internal review by the Bureau of Construction (BOC), Bureau of Design (BOD), Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), and Planning and Procurement Services, ahead of the JICA pre-appraisal mission scheduled in September.
An Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for the project is also expected to be secured by September. Approval by the Economic Development Council (EDC) is targeted by November 2025, with loan signing anticipated by January 2026. The SSJB Project will undergo a 15-month Detailed Engineering Design phase, with civil works expected to commence in 2028 and span approximately 32 months.
The project scope includes the construction of a new bridge and its approach roads, along with operations and maintenance (O and M) facilities. While repairs to the existing San Juanico Bridge are not included in this project's scope, a detailed inspection and structural assessment will be conducted during the design phase, with urgent repairs to be prioritized based on consultant recommendations. The bridge's design will incorporate advanced Japanese technologies to ensure long-term reliability and operational efficiency. Key innovations include paint life extension steel to enhance durability and reduce maintenance requirements; composite slab technology to shorten construction time and ease maintenance; and seismic isolation bearings to improve earthquake resilience.
The meeting also provided updates on other JICA-assisted infrastructure initiatives, including the Central Mindanao High Standard Highway (CDO-Malaybalay Section) and two major flood control projects, namely the Para±aque Spillway and the Davao City Flood Control Project.
