President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared a state of calamity in Eastern Visayas for about one year to hasten the repair and rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge and mitigate the impact on the residents of Samar and Leyte.
President Marcos said the state of calamity for one year began on June 5, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant.
Through Proclamation No. 920 dated June 5, 2025, President Marcos noted the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to declare a state of calamity in Region VIII due to the compromised state of the San Juanico Bridge.
The 2.16-kilometer San Juanico Bridge serves as the only permanent land link between the islands of Samar and Leyte and a key component of the Pan-Philippine Highway (Maharlika Highway/AH26), which connects Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“There is hereby declared a State of Calamity in Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) on account of escalating risks caused by significant structural compromises in San Juanico Bridge, for one (1) year beginning this date, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant,” the President said.
Under Proclamation No. 920, President Marcos directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in coordination with concerned local government units (LGUs) to “expedite all measures necessary to repair and rehabilitate the San Juanico Bridge fully.”
The President also ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to assist the DPWG in “identifying appropriate and sufficient funding sources” to support the repair and rehabilitation of the vital bridge.
Meanwhile law enforcement agencies, with support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, were directed to “undertake urgent response to ensure the safety of the people affected by the critical condition of the San Juanico Bridge, as well as all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in the affected areas, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.”
President Marcos also ordered all departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices of the national government, and encouraged all LGUs and the private sector to fully support, cooperate, and “mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent and appropriate measures promptly to repair and rehabilitate the San Juanico Bridge fully.”
“The declaration of a State of Calamity will, among others, hasten the repair and rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge, and afford the National Government, as well as local government units (LGUs), ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds for the repair and safety upgrading of the subject public infrastructure,” the proclamation read.
President Marcos said the DPWH assessment found San Juanico Bridge to be in critical condition, prompting the imposition of a strict three-ton vehicle load limit effective May 15.
The restriction has effectively halted the passage of heavy cargo vehicles, severely disrupting the transport of food, medicine, agricultural products, construction materials, and other essential commodities across Eastern Visayas.
“There is an urgent need to repair and rehabilitate the San Juanico Bridge to ensure timely delivery of essential goods and services and restore regional mobility,” the President stressed. | PND
