CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival has sought the immediate assistance of the Philippine Army and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prevent the possible collapse of the Bacayan-Talamban bridge, which he warned could cripple the city’s daily garbage collection if left unaddressed.
In a press conference on Monday, November 10, 2025, Archival said the bridge, used by garbage trucks hauling 600 metric tons of waste daily to the landfill in Barangay Binaliw, has shown signs of structural instability following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) last week.
He said the bridge had already sustained visible damage, with slight movements observed whenever vehicles passed.
Archival warned that if the issue is not addressed, the City may no longer be able to transport its garbage to the landfill in Barangay Binaliw.
The mayor said the City has asked the army’s engineering battalion to help remove debris blocking the river channel under the bridge. He also urged DPWH to install a temporary support system or “shoe ring” to stabilize the structure while long-term rehabilitation plans are being prepared.
He said a collapse would severely affect not only waste transport but also the mobility of residents in northern barangays who rely on the bridge to reach hospitals, schools and subdivisions.
As for the Buot-Taup and Lusaran bridges, Archival said they still have no concrete rehabilitation schedules. He urged DPWH to prioritize the repair of critical mountain linkages to prevent the prolonged isolation of upland communities and disruptions to basic services.
The Cebu City Transportation Office has deployed personnel to manage traffic in the area and ensure that no heavy vehicles remain parked on the bridge.
As for Bacayan, Archival said the only alternate route is a narrow, single-lane road that can barely accommodate large trucks.
He described the devastation brought about by typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) as a wake-up call to the need to strengthen Cebu City’s infrastructure, especially in mountain barangays still recovering from road and bridge damage.
In Lusaran, Archival said the bridge remains impassable, cutting off at least 80 families near Mangabon Elementary School in Barangay Tagbao from relief assistance.
Debris along the Transcentral Highway continues to block access to Mangabon, and DPWH has yet to mobilize for repairs.
Archival said the DPWH has committed to rehabilitate the damaged roads and bridges but cited limited resources for immediate response.
He said about 90 percent of mountain barangays have already been cleared, while a bridge near Binaliw has reopened, restoring partial connectivity between the north and south districts. (CAV)