After the Biliran-Leyte Bridge and the San Juanico Bridge, yet another bridge in Eastern Visayas has been flagged by authorities due to structural issues.
The bridge in question is the Calbiga Bridge in the town of Calbiga, Samar, which the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said has “visibly deteriorated” and needs urgent rehabilitation.
This finding was discovered during the July 2025 inspection by the lead team from SMEC International Pty. Ltd. and Oriental Global Co. Ltd., along with engineers from DPWH Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH Samar 2nd DEO).
“Corrosion has affected the steel members of the bridge, causing some parts to become thinner due to rust. Additionally, there is movement in Span 1 of the bridge, which has reached a critically unsafe condition,” Pedro Lyneil Loyola IV, chief of the planning and design section at the DPWH Samar 2nd DEO, said in a media interview.
To address these findings, the DPWH included the bridge in a Feasibility Study for Urgent Bridge Construction Projects for Rural Development (UBCPRD) Phase 2, which covers 25 bridges nationwide.
A private joint venture consultancy is conducting the study to determine rehabilitation options, funding sources, and alternatives such as a bypass road with a new bridge.
Loyola stated that funding options are still being evaluated, with potential sources including allocations from the national budget or international loans.
Limited use
While the long-term solution is being finalized, the DPWH assured residents and commuters that the bridge remains operational, but with strict traffic regulations.
“Calbiga Bridge is still functional but vulnerable to heavy loads, especially from trucks that exceed the allowable gross vehicle weight of 15 tons. It will not be completely closed, but the passage of heavily loaded trucks beyond the load limit will be regulated,” Loyola stressed.
To prevent further damage, the DPWH is coordinating with the Calbiga local government to regulate heavy truck traffic until funds for rehabilitation are secured.
(With report from PIA)
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