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CITING the urgent need to deliver results, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) finds it imperative to commence the long overdue rehabilitation of the country’s premier highway which has incurred significant structure defects over the years.
Likewise on the DPWH radar is the San Juanico Bridge connecting the island provinces of Samar and Leyte.
The rehabilitation of the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) is scheduled to begin soon as part of preparations for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in early 2026 with the DPWH taking significant steps to ensure smoother traffic flow in Metro Manila during the event.
‘(DPWH is) expecting minimal effects as the construction activities would be done in phases and clusters to ensure minimal disruption to commuters and traffic during the work schedule.’
BEFORE ASEAN SUMMIT
In a Malacañang press briefing, DPWH Secretary Manuel Manligas Bonoan said that they are prioritizing the rehabilitation of EDSA with the specific focus on sections in time for the ASEAN event.
Bonoan mentioned that construction on EDSA will be focused on both lanes of the highway’s segment from Pasay City to Shaw Boulevard, where the summit’s concentration will be held.
“Ang timetable po namin dito is we hope that we can complete those segments, iyong segments na iyan, towards the end of the year,” said Bonoan noting that the rehab program forms part of a broader scope to ease congestion and improve infrastructure in Metro Manila.
CONTINGENCY MEASURES
By his own admission, Bonoan may slow down traffic flow. He, however, clarified that they are expecting minimal effects as the construction activities would be done in phases and clusters to ensure minimal disruption to commuters and traffic during the work schedule.
“Ang plano po namin dito, while we’re going to put priority to those sections from Pasay to Shaw Boulevard, then maybe other sections that we may start also na hindi naman masyadong nakakaabala doon sa traffic during the summit in Manila,” the DPWH chief pointed out.
The ASEAN Summit is a biannual meeting on economic, political, security, and socio-cultural development of Southeast Asian countries. It also serves as a regional platform to discuss various problems and global issues, strengthening cooperation, and making decisions.
TWO SAN JUANICO BRIDGES
Amid inconsistencies in the structural integrity of the San Juanico Bridge in the eastern Visayas, the DPWH hinted at constructing a new and longer bridge adjacent to the existing structure.
In view of what described as adverse economic impacts of the San Juanico Bridge rehabilitation, Bonoan cited the urgent need to hasten the construction of a new bridge which according to him would be 2.6 kilometers long.
“The new bridge is now under preparation. In fact, this will be one of the flagship projects under this administration and ito po ay mapi-finance ng Japanese government,” he noted.
“It’s now under detailed engineering design, we hope that the detailed engineering design will be completed by 2026 and thereafter, the construction will follow immediately,” he added.
HALF CENTURY OLD
Constructed in 1969 during the administration of then President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr., the bridge spans 2.16 km. and remains a vital economic and transport artery in Eastern Visayas.
A three-ton weight limit was imposed on the structure after engineers raised red flags about its load-bearing capacity even as immediate retrofitting had begun on specific segments which were “found to be deteriorated and also dangerous for heavy loads.”
“We are expediting the process. In the meantime, nakipag-coordinate po kami (we have coordinated) with the local governments, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and doon sa PNP (Philippine National Police) for the control of traffic,” the public works chief spelled out.
WORTH THE AGONY
Bonoan also made a public appeal to bear the “temporary agony” which he claimed would yield convenience to both the motorists and commuters after the project shall have been completed.
“Iyong passengers (who) have to cross the bridge, unfortunately they will have to stop on one end and they will transfer to another—to the same bus company on the other end,” he averred.
“Pero iyong transport po, ang passengers are being shuttled free of charge. So, ito po iyong arrangements for the time being,” the DPWH chief added.
In addition, Bonoan said that the PPA is coming up with alternative routes from Luzon going to Leyte without passing the San Juanico Bridge to provide safe access to motorists.
“The load limit on the San Juanico Bridge may also increase to a maximum of 10 tons by the last quarter of 2025, once the retrofitting of the segments is completed. In the meantime, we are doing our best na kung matapos po namin kumpunihin ‘yung deteriorated sections doon sa approaches, we might be able to increase the load limit sometime within the year,” he quipped.
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