San Juanico Bridge - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/San_Juanico_Bridge

Coordinates: 11°18′10″N 124°58′19″E

San Juanico Bridge

San Juanico Bridge[5] (Filipino: Tulay ng San
San Juanico Bridge
Juanico, Waray: Tulay han San Juanico and Spanish:
Puente de San Juanico) is part of the Pan-Philippine
Highway and stretches from Samar to Leyte across the
San Juanico Strait in the Philippines.[2] Its longest
length is a steel girder viaduct built on reinforced
concrete piers, and its main span is of an arch-shaped
truss design. Constructed during the Marcos
administration through the Marcos Japanese ODA
scandal loans,[6] it has a total length of 2.16 kilometers
(1.34 mi) - the longest bridge spanning a body of The San Juanico Bridge, view from Samar,
seawater in the Philippines.[7][8] towards Leyte

Marcos built the bridge as a personal gift to his wife Coordinates 11°18′10″N 124°58′19″E
Imelda using public funds siphoned through the Carries 2 lanes of N1 /
controversial Marcos Japanese ODA scandal.[7] It was AH26 (Maharlika
one of the high-visibility foreign-loan projects initiated Highway); pedestrian
by Marcos during the run-up to the 1969 Presidential
sidewalks
election campaign.[9] Completed four years later, it was
inaugurated on 2 July 1973 on the birthday of Imelda Crosses San Juanico Strait[1]
Marcos.[7] Upon its completion, economists and public Locale Santa Rita, Samar
works engineers quickly tagged it as a white elephant and Tacloban, Leyte[2]
which was "a possession that is useless and expensive to
Other name(s) Philippine-Japan
maintain or difficult to dispose of",[2] because its
Friendship Highway
average daily traffic was too low to justify the cost of its
bridge;[3] formerly
construction.[2] As a result, its construction has been
associated with what has been called the Marcoses' Marcos Bridge[4]
"edifice complex".[10][11] Maintained by Department of Public
Works and Highways
In the years after the Marcos conjugal dictatorship[12],
Characteristics
economic activity in Samar and Leyte has finally caught
up with the bridge's intended function under the Design Arch-shaped truss
guidance of several administrations from Corazon bridge
Aquino to the present administration, and has become Total length 2,164 m (7,100 ft)
an iconic tourist attraction.[11]
Longest span 192 m (630 ft)
No. of spans 43
History
Contents
Constructed by Construction and
History Development
Development Corporation of the
Inception Philippines
Financing
Construction 1969
Contract awarding
start
Construction

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Post-construction Construction 1973

end
Features
Construction US$22 million
Economic significance cost (₱140 million)
In popular culture Opened 2 July 1973
Martial Law slang
Film and literature
Urban legends
Incidents
See also
References
External links

Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap

History

Development

Inception

The "Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway Bridge" was part of a large bundle of high-visibility
foreign-loan-funded infrastructure launched by Ferdinand Marcos' administration during the
1969 Presidential campaign.[9] These foreign-loan-funded showcases, which also included the
Cultural Center of the Philippines, allowed Marcos to credit the projects as part of his
administration's "performance" - part of the reason he became the first and only President of the
Third Philippine republic to win a second term.[9]

At the time the project was conceived, there was not yet much traffic between the islands of Leyte
and Samar because they were relatively underdeveloped,[2] As a result, there was not yet a need
for such a costly project[2] funded by foreign loans which would charge interest.But the bridge was
built there because Imelda Marcos, who had grown up in Leyte, wanted a bridge for her province

Financing

The Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway project started out in the mid-1960s with a single
US$25 million Japan Export-Import Bank loan meant for the purchase of equipment for road
development. But the Marcos administration requested its expansion to incorporate a bridge
between Leyte and Samar, and various sea traffic projects such as roll-on/roll-off ferries.[3]

The cost of the construction was US$22 million (about ₱140 million),[4] which was acquired
through Official Development Assistance loans from Japan's Overseas Technical Cooperation
Agency (OTCA), the predecessor of today's Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).[2][3]
This was the first Official Development Assistance from Japan to the Philippines through JICA.[1]

Contract awarding

Through the then Ministry of Public Highways, the Philippine government contracted the San

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Juanico Bridge project to the Construction and Development Corporation of the Philippines
(CDCP; now the Philippine National Construction Corporation),[13] a company founded by close
Marcos associate Rodolfo Cuenca.[11][14]

Construction

Construction of the bridge commenced during 1969 presidential campaign. It was finally
completed four years later, in 1973. It was inaugurated on July 2 - in celebration of Imelda Marcos'
birthday.[15]

Its design reflected the aesthetic of other infrastructure projects associated with what has been
called the Marcoses' "edifice complex,"[10][11] - described by Architectural historian Gerard Lico as
"an obsession and compulsion to build edifices as a hallmark of greatness."[16]

Post-construction

The bridge was slightly damaged by Typhoon Haiyan, locally

known as Super Typhoon Yolanda, in November 2013[17] but
was quickly repaired and reopened within the month.[18]

Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan proposed a project to install

LED lights in the bridge, with timed lighting effects for select
occasions as an effort to boost tourism between Leyte and
Samar islands. The ₱80 million project dubbed as the San
Aerial view of the bridge in 2012.
Juanico Bridge Lighting Project was approved by the Tourism
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority in January
2018. The implementation of the lighting project has
experienced delays. [19] The groundbreaking for the project took place on July 26, 2019 with
completion projected for December 2019 or January 2020.[20]

Features
San Juanico Bridge connects the islands of Leyte and Samar
by linking the city of Tacloban to the town of Santa Rita,
Samar. It passes over the San Juanico Strait.[4] The road
infrastructure is the longest bridge in the Philippines
spanning across a body of water[15] measuring 2,164 m
(7,100 ft) in total length.[21] It has 43 steels spans with the
primary span measuring 192 m (630 ft).[13]

The bridge's abutments are founded on steel H-piles while its The San Juanico Bridge at night.
piers are rock seated pedestals built using the Prepakt
method, having single cylindrical shafts and tapered
cantilevered copings.[13]

The bridge is part of the Pan–Philippine Highway (commonly known as the Maharlika Highway),
a network of roads, bridges, and sea routes that connect the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and
Mindanao in the country. The highway was proposed in 1965, and constructed under the
administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos to serve as the country's backbone of
transportation.[7]

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Economic significance
The bridge is considered by the government as a main tourist destination of the Tacloban.[22] San
Juanico bridge also serves as an important role for both the tourism and economies of the islands
of Samar and Leyte by linking them.[15]

In popular culture

Martial Law slang

During martial law in the Philippines under then-president Ferdinand E. Marcos, Military
personnel who conducted tortures referred to one particular method of torture as "the San Juanico
Bridge."[23] It involved a person being beaten while the victim's head and feet lay on separate beds
and the body is suspended as though to form a bridge.[24][25][26]

Film and literature

Filipino actor and stunt performer Dante Varona jumped from the San Juanico Bridge without a
harness in the 1981 movie Hari ng Stunt.[27]

The short story "The Bridge" by Yvette Tan is based on one of the urban legends surrounding the
San Juanico Bridge.[28][29] The story won an award for fiction from the Philippine Graphic.[28]

Urban legends

There are a number of urban legends associated with the bridge's construction. The most popular
one involved a woman who follows a fortune teller's advice and orders workers to mix children's
blood with the bridge's foundation. A river fairy curses the woman and causes the woman to grow
foul-smelling scales on her legs.[30]

Incidents
On September 22, 2002, a barge rammed into a concrete foundation of the bridge causing a
₱25-million damage. Then, on October, A portion of the bridge slid down by at least 10
centimeters after a metal support for its concrete foundation gave way, which was attributed by
Engineer Jimmy Chan to "material fatigue.[31]

See also
Edifice complex
List of longest bridges in the world

References
1. "60 Years of Japan - Philippines Cooperation (Commemorative Magazine)" (https://www.jica.g
o.jp/philippine/english/office/topics/c8h0vm00008t460t-att/oda60anniversary_01.pdf) (PDF).
Makati, Philippines: Japan International Cooperation Agency Philippines Office. Archived (http

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s://web.archive.org/web/20180703080502/https://www.jica.go.jp/philippine/english/office/topics
/c8h0vm00008t460t-att/oda60anniversary_01.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 3 July 2018.
2. Landingin, Roel R. (13 February 2008). "7 in 10 ODA projects fail to deliver touted benefits" (ht
tp://pcij.org/stories/7-in-10-oda-projects-fail-to-deliver-touted-benefits). Philippine Center for
Investigative Journalism. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20091012170044/http://pcij.or
g/stories/7-in-10-oda-projects-fail-to-deliver-touted-benefits) from the original on 12 October
2009.
3. "ASEAN Dialogues: Former Philippines Premier Virata Looks Back on Decades of Working
with Japan" (https://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/field/2013/140107_01.html). www.jica.go.jp.
Japan International Cooperation Agency. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20180630074
024/https://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/field/2013/140107_01.html) from the original on 30
June 2018.
4. Quirante, Ninfa Iluminada (13 March 2018). "San Juanico Bridge, a symbol of love" (http://pia.
gov.ph/news/articles/1005720). Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
5. Share; Twitter. "Gov't breaks ground for San Juanico Bridge lighting project" (https://www.pna.
gov.ph/articles/1076216). www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
6. Fifty years of Japan ODA : a critical review for ODA reform: Reality of Aid Asia-Pacific 2005
report. Manila: IBON Books. 2005. ISBN 978-971-0325-52-8. OCLC 68191461 (https://www.w
orldcat.org/oclc/68191461).
7. Sabornido, Lyza (17 September 2014). "10 Facts You Should Know about San Juanico Bridge
in Samar and Leyte" (http://faq.ph/10-facts-you-should-know-about-san-juanico-bridge-in-sam
ar-and-leyte/). FAQ.ph. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
8. Guia, Jhaypee (13 July 2012). "Go Across the San Juanico Bridge" (https://www.vigattintouris
m.com/tourism/articles/Go-Across-the-San-Juanico-Bridge). Vigattin Tourism. Archived (https://
web.archive.org/web/20140131170451/https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Go-Acr
oss-the-San-Juanico-Bridge) from the original on 31 January 2014.
9. Ricardo., Manapat (1991). Some are smarter than others : the history of Marcos' crony
capitalism. New York: Aletheia Publications. ISBN 9719128704. OCLC 28428684 (https://www.
worldcat.org/oclc/28428684).
10. Afinidad-Bernardo, Deni Rose M. (2016). "31 Years of Amnesia: Edifice Complex" (https://new
slab.philstar.com/31-years-of-amnesia/building-spree). The Philippine Star. Archived (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20170304080521/http://newslab.philstar.com/31-years-of-amnesia/building
-spree) from the original on 4 March 2017.
11. "Edifice Complex: Building on the Backs of the Filipino People" (https://martiallawmuseum.ph/
magaral/edifice-complex-building-on-the-backs-of-the-filipino-people/). Martial Law Museum.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20180501160650/https://martiallawmuseum.ph/magaral/
edifice-complex-building-on-the-backs-of-the-filipino-people/) from the original on 1 May 2018.
12. Mijares, Primitivo. The Conjugal Dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Marcos, Union
Square Publishing, Manila, 1976. ISBN 1-141-12147-6.
13. "PNCC Projects :San Juanico Bridge" (http://www.pncc.ph/projects_marcosbridge.htm).
Philippine National Construction Corporation. Retrieved 26 March 2018.headed by Engr. Arvin
L. Valderrama
14. "It Takes a Village to Loot a Nation: Cronyism and Corruption" (https://martiallawmuseum.ph/m
agaral/the-philippines-during-the-martial-law/). Martial Law Museum. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
15. TIEZA (25 March 2018). "San Juanico, Eastern Visayas' iconic bridge, to be lit up by end of
2018" (http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1006186). Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved
26 March 2018.
16. Santos, Roselle. "Book Review: Edifice Complex: Power, Myth, and the Marcos State
Architecture by Gerard Lico : Philippine Art, Culture and Antiquities" (http://www.artesdelasfilipi
nas.com/archives/45/book-review-edifice-complex-power-myth-and-the-marcos-state-architect
ure-by-gerard-lico). Artes de las Filipinas. Retrieved 1 May 2018.

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17. Fensome, Alex (11 November 2013). "Filipinos' nervous wait as toll soars" (http://www.stuff.co.
nz/dominion-post/news/9384437/Filipinos-nervous-wait-as-toll-soars). The Dominion Post.
Stuff Limited. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
18. "Protection Assesment: Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)" (http://www.globalprotectioncluster.
org/_assets/files/field_protection_clusters/Philippines/files/131111%20Protection%20Assessm
ent%20STY%20Haiyan%20Issue%20No%20%203%20(LR)%20(2).pdf) (PDF). United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
19. Meniano, Sarwell (28 August 2018). "Detailed technical review delays San Juanico Bridge
lighting project" (http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1046151). Philippine News Agency. Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20181127205904/http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1046151) from
the original on 27 November 2018.
20. Tabao, Golda Meir (2 August 2019). "Groundbreaking of San Juanico Bridge Lighting Project
signals start of construction" (https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1025383). Philippine Information
Agency. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
21. "Region VII – Central Visayas Region" (http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/sites/default/files/2005_
REPORT_REV.pdf) (PDF). DPWH Annual Report. Department of Public Works and Highways:
46. 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2018. "Rehabilitation of San Juanico Bridge (2.164 km.), P1.002
Billion."
22. "Tacloban: A Fast Rising Highly Urbanized City A City Profile" (http://www.nap.psa.gov.ph/ru8/
profiles/Municipal_Profile/Tacloban_City_Profile.pdf) (PDF). National Statistical Coordination
Board : Regional Division VIII. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
23. Laber, Jeri (30 October 1976). "Philippines Torture" (https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/30/arch
ives/philippines-torture.html). The New York Times. p. 23.
24. Pedroso, Kate (21 September 2014). " 'San Juanico Bridge,' other tortures detailed" (http://new
sinfo.inquirer.net/639646/san-juanico-bridge-other-tortures-detailed). The Philippine Daily
Inquirer. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20140921022053/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/6
39646/san-juanico-bridge-other-tortures-detailed) from the original on 21 September 2014.
25. Hapal, Don Kevin (23 February 2016). "Worse than death: Torture methods during martial law"
(https://www.rappler.com/nation/121365-torture-martial-law-marcos-regime). Rappler.
Philippines. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
26. Robles, Raissa (2016). Marcos Martial Law: Never Again: A brief history of torture and atrocity
under the New Society. Quezon City: Filipinos for A Better Philippines, Inc.
ISBN 978-621-95443-1-3. OCLC 952277519 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/952277519).
27. "They are not stuntmen like Dante Varona" (http://www.leytesamardailynews.com/they-are-not-
stuntmen-like-dante-varona/). Leyte Samar Daily News. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 1 May
2018.
28. Albano, Lou (8 October 2009). "Q&A with Palanca Awardee Yvette Tan" (https://www.fhm.com.
ph/people/profiles/qampa-with-palanca-awardee-yvette-tan). FHM Philippines (Summit Media).
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20180501224638/https://www.fhm.com.ph/people/profil
es/qampa-with-palanca-awardee-yvette-tan) from the original on 1 May 2018.
29. Casocot, Ian Rosales (14 August 2009). "Yvette Tan's Waking the Dead" (https://eatingthesun.
blogspot.com/2009/08/yvette-tans-waking-dead.html). The Spy in the Sandwich. Retrieved
1 May 2018.
30. Piccio, Belle (27 October 2015). "Urban Legend: The Bloody Secret of the Longest Bridge in
the Philippines" (http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/history-and-culture/3667/urban-legend-
san-juanico-bridge-bloody-secret). Choose Philippines. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/
20151029224903/http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/history-and-culture/3667/urban-legend
-san-juanico-bridge-bloody-secret) from the original on 29 October 2015.
31. "Metal support in San Juanico's pier gives way" (https://www.philstar.com/nation/2002/10/31/1
82040/metal-support-san-juanico146s-pier-gives-way). Philstar. Retrieved 17 September
2018.

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