2 days ago
2nd San Juanico bridge project gets P10B under 2026 NEP
The 2nd San Juanico bridge project in Tacloban City has been allocated P10 billion under the P6.793-trillion National Expenditure Program for 2026.
The said project was included in the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) over P881.3-billion allocation for next year.
The expenditure program for 2026 recently submitted by Malacanang to Congress showed that the second San Juanico bridge project is a Japan International Cooperation Agency-assisted project.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan earlier said the government plans to build a new bridge adjacent to the existing San Juanico Bridge, which would be about 2.6 kilometers long.
A flagship project of the Marcos administration, Bonoan hoped that the detailed engineering design would be completed by 2026 and the construction would follow immediately.
A three-ton load limit had been imposed on the San Juanico Bridge since May this year after an assessment showed significant structural compromises to the bridge.
The President had said more than P500 million has already been allocated for the San Juanico Bridge's repair.
DPWH said it is expediting the repairs to increase its load limit to 12 - 15 tons by December this year.
Built in 1969 and completed in 1973, the San Juanico Bridge is the third-longest bridge spanning a body of seawater in the Philippines, connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
