Tacloban: The Regional Development Council (RDC) in Eastern Visayas is actively pursuing the release of PHP500 million in calamity funds to address the urgent repair needs of San Juanico Bridge, a crucial infrastructure connecting the three major island groups of the Philippines.
According to Philippines News Agency, RDC Vice Chair Meylene Rosales, who also serves as the regional director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, announced that the Council passed a resolution at a recent meeting aimed at expediting the release of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) funds. Rosales emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We can ask for the release of DRRM funds since the crisis arising from the limited access along San Juanico is treated as a disaster."
The proposed fund will be allocated for repairing parts of the bridge's foundation within the year. However, Rosales noted that this amount is insufficient to fully restore the 53-year-old bridge's load capacity. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has projected a need for PHP5.68 billion for comprehensive rehabilitation efforts, with plans to include these funding requirements in the 2026 and 2027 General Appropriations Act.
In addition to securing funds, the RDC's resolution calls on Congress to grant President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emergency powers to access the national calamity fund for the bridge's repair. The RDC also backed the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's request for a PHP195 million fund to facilitate immediate government response to the crisis. "The fund will be mainly used to support the operations center and other immediate response of the government for those affected by this crisis," Rosales stated.
In response to structural concerns, the DPWH implemented a strict three-ton load limit on the bridge starting May 15. This decision followed recommendations from consultants after a detailed assessment with DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan. San Juanico Bridge, spanning 2.16 kilometers, is the longest bridge on the Pan-Philippine Highway, linking Luzon and Mindanao, and has been operational since its completion in 1973.
