The structural integrity of a crucial bridge in Cebu City has been compromised following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino, raising alarms about potential collapse and widespread disruption to essential services.
Immediate Threat to Critical Infrastructure
Mayor Nestor Archival revealed during a November 10, 2025 press conference that the Bacayan-Talamban bridge exhibited clear signs of structural instability after Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) passed through the region last week. The bridge serves as the primary route for garbage trucks transporting approximately 600 metric tons of waste daily to the Binaliw landfill.
Visible damage has been observed on the bridge structure, with slight movements detected whenever vehicles traverse the span. This development has prompted immediate concern from city officials, who recognize the bridge's vital role in maintaining urban services.
Emergency Response Measures Deployed
Mayor Archival has urgently requested assistance from both the Philippine Army's engineering battalion and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prevent a catastrophic collapse. The emergency measures include clearing debris blocking the river beneath the bridge and installing a temporary support system referred to as a "shoe ring" to stabilize the structure.
While these short-term solutions are being implemented, the Cebu City Transportation Office has deployed personnel to manage traffic flow and ensure that no heavy vehicles remain parked on the bridge, which could exacerbate the structural strain.
Potential Consequences of Bridge Failure
The collapse of the Bacayan-Talamban bridge would halt daily waste collection operations throughout Cebu City, as the only alternative route consists of a narrow, single-lane road incapable of accommodating garbage trucks. Beyond the waste management crisis, the bridge serves as a critical connection for northern barangays to essential services including hospitals, schools, and residential subdivisions.
Thousands of residents would face isolation if the bridge becomes impassable, severely crippling city services and emergency response capabilities. The situation has exposed broader vulnerabilities in Cebu City's infrastructure network, particularly in mountain barangays where other critical bridges remain damaged without concrete rehabilitation schedules.
Additional infrastructure concerns include the still-impassable Lusaran bridge, which has cut off at least 80 families in Barangay Tagbao from relief assistance, and ongoing debris blockage along Transcentral Highway preventing access to Mangabon Elementary School. Mayor Archival noted that while the DPWH has committed to rehabilitating damaged areas, limited resources have hampered immediate response efforts.
