All set for second San Juanico bridge

ICONIC SPAN San Juanico Bridge, shown in this March 2023 photo, is an iconic 2.1-kilometer span connecting the islands of Leyte and Samar across the San Juanico Strait. —Patrick Roque/contributor

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Philippines — The proposed second San Juanico Bridge connecting the islands of Leyte and Samar is expected to start civil works within the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Edgar Tabacon, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Eastern Visayas director, however, said the bridge’s completion could extend to the next administration.

“We want this San Juanico Bridge II to be completed during the term of President Marcos, but considering the long process it would take, we expect a spillover into the next administration,” he said in an interview.

READ: DPWH says 2nd San Juanico Bridge to be located in Tacloban

Tabacon said the national government would need additional funds from a foreign firm given the substantial funding required for the project.

The DPWH previously reported that at least P9.17 billion would be needed for the proposed San Juanico Bridge II project, which would be built parallel to the existing 2.1-kilometer San Juanico Bridge.

The feasibility study for the project is being conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).

The study includes considerations such as the number of lanes, traffic operations, options for the second bridge and the rehabilitation of the existing San Juanico Bridge.

Tabacon said it is likely that Japanese technology would be used in the construction of the proposed San Juanico Bridge II given Jica’s involvement in the feasibility study.

Landmark

San Juanico Bridge, constructed in 1969 and completed in 1972 during the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the father of the incumbent President, links Tacloban City in Leyte province to Sta. Rita town in Samar province.

It was inaugurated on July 2, 1973, in time for the birthday of former first lady Imelda Marcos, who is from Leyte.

It is a major landmark, a tourist attraction in Eastern Visayas, and considered the country’s longest bridge until the 8.9-km Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway in Cebu was completed in 2021.

The second bridge was initially planned to be built from Leyte’s Babatngon town to Sta. Rita in Samar but planners decided on a parallel bridge instead since Tacloban is the region’s regional center.

According to Tabacon, a parallel second bridge is more practical since building a Babatngon-Sta. Rita span will make the bridge longer.

“The shorter the distance, the lower the cost,” Tabacon said.

A second San Juanico Bridge is meant to address future traffic congestion as the economy of the region grows, officials said.