Travel was significantly disrupted for commuters and cargo vehicles crossing the San Juanico Bridge after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 8 issued an advisory banning heavy vehicles from passing through the structure starting May 15, 2025.
The advisory restricts passage to vehicles weighing 3 metric tons or more, citing structural issues detected during a recent assessment of the 52-year-old bridge that connects Leyte and Samar.
According to a DPWH memo signed by Secretary Manuel Bonoan dated May 8, 2025, damage was found that necessitates limiting the load capacity to prevent further risk and ensure public safety.
As a result, commuters and truck drivers transporting goods from Mindanao, Manila, and Samar have been forced to wait at the bridge entrance, with some buses also affected and unable to continue their routes.
Several residents, including senior citizens living near the bridge entrance, have volunteered to offer free rides to ease the burden on stranded passengers.
The bridge, constructed in 1969 and completed in 1973, now faces aging-related issues that prompted this emergency measure.
In response to the ban, DPWH Region 8 has advised vehicles exceeding the weight limit to coordinate with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and utilize roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ferry services in ports such as Tacloban, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Biliran, Ormoc, Manguinoo, Hilongos, Maasin, Naval, Palompon, Calubian, and Villaba.
DPWH also announced that up to ₱800 million may be allocated for the bridge’s rehabilitation, although no completion date has been provided for the repairs.
Concerned drivers and commuters are urging authorities to expedite the repair work, as the ongoing disruption is heavily affecting their livelihoods and daily activities.