PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared a state of calamity in Eastern Visayas for one year to hasten the repair and rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge and mitigate the impact on the residents of Samar and Leyte.
In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the declaration is contained under Proclamation No. 920, which was issued on June 5, 2025.
The PCO said the President noted the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to declare a state of calamity in the region 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. It is a key component of the Pan-Philippine Highway, 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 proclamation read.
Under the proclamation, the President 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.”
He also ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to assist the DPWH in “identifying appropriate and sufficient funding sources” to support the repair and rehabilitation of the bridge.
Meanwhile law enforcement agencies, with support from the AFP, 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.”
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 also stated.
The DPWH has found San Juanico Bridge to be in critical condition and has imposed 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.
