Cebu City faces a potential infrastructure crisis as the Bacayan-Talamban bridge, a critical link for northern barangays, shows alarming signs of structural instability following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino. Mayor Nestor Archival has urgently called for assistance from the Philippine Army and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prevent a catastrophic collapse.
Immediate Threats and Emergency Response
Speaking at a press briefing on November 11, 2025, Mayor Archival revealed that the bridge has sustained visible damage, with slight deviations and movements detected whenever vehicles pass over it. The situation is particularly dire for the city's sanitation services. Garbage trucks transporting 600 metric tons of waste daily to the Binaliw landfill rely exclusively on this route.
Archival has formally requested the Army's engineering battalion to help clear debris blocking the Butuanon River channel beneath the bridge, which is exacerbating the structural pressure. Simultaneously, he has urged the DPWH to install a temporary support system, known as a "shoe ring," to stabilize the structure while long-term rehabilitation plans are developed.
Wider Consequences for Northern Barangays
The potential collapse of the bridge extends far beyond garbage logistics. Mayor Archival warned that it would severely affect the mobility of residents in northern barangays who depend on the bridge for access to essential services like hospitals, schools, and subdivisions. The only alternate route in Bacayan is a narrow, single-lane road incapable of handling large trucks.
This incident has served as a stark "wake-up call" for Cebu City's infrastructure resilience, especially in mountain barangays still recovering from typhoon damage. In Lusaran, for instance, a bridge remains impassable, cutting off at least 80 families near Manggabon Elementary School from relief assistance. Debris continues to block the Transcentral Highway, and the DPWH has yet to mobilize for repairs due to limited resources.
Ongoing Operations and Partial Progress
While the Bacayan-Talamban bridge is the immediate concern, other infrastructure issues persist. The Buot Taop and Lusaran bridges still lack firm rehabilitation schedules. The mayor has called on the DPWH to prioritize these critical mountain linkages to prevent the prolonged isolation of upland communities.
In response to the immediate danger, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) has deployed personnel to manage traffic in the area and ensure no heavy vehicles remain parked on the compromised structure. On a positive note, the mayor reported that about 90 percent of mountain barangays have been cleared of debris, and a bridge near Binaliw has reopened, restoring partial connectivity between the north and south districts.
