Mayor Alfred Romualdez has raised concerns over the ballooning cost of the San Juanico Bridge rehabilitation, saying the project demands full public disclosure amid suspicions of corruption.
Originally estimated at ₱800 million, the budget for the 52-year-old bridge’s rehabilitation has reportedly surged to ₱7 billion. “There is something going on na hindi kanais-nais na corruption,” Romualdez said. “From P800 million to P7 billion? Magkano ba talaga?”
The mayor questioned the recent three-ton weight limit imposed on the bridge, pointing out that it was announced without proper notice or explanation. He asked who conducted the feasibility study that led to the restriction and why the public was given only 48 hours to prepare for the closure.
“That’s why I am calling for clarification of these issues. Is the bridge really defective? How long would the rehabilitation take? Who conducted the study? Why was everything seemingly so sudden and we were given 48 hours only to close the bridge?” he said.
Romualdez criticized the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for failing to provide clear information on the structure’s condition and the basis for the weight limit. He stressed that bridge defects were not new, recalling earlier repairs 20 years ago when the public was given enough time to prepare.
The mayor also urged that independent experts be tapped to properly assess the bridge and determine the actual cost and process of the rehabilitation.
