Jose Abad Santos Cut Off for Days due to damaged bridge

RESIDENTS of Jose Abad Santos (JAS) in Davao Occidental have been cut off from the rest of the Davao Region for three days now following the collapse of the Lawayon Bridge approach in Barangay Mangile. Continuous rains brought by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) triggered flooding along the Lawayon River, damaging the bridge and rendering it impassable.

The JAS Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) reported that while the bridge structure itself remains intact, the approach on the Malita side was severely damaged due to soil scouring—a form of erosion caused by fast-moving floodwaters that undermines the stability of infrastructure.

As a result, motorists and residents are now forced to use a makeshift alternate route that involves crossing the river directly, as there is no other bridge linking JAS to neighboring Don Marcelino town. This has created significant disruptions for local businesses, farmers, and fishermen who rely on transporting goods outside the municipality.

“Tungod wala pa naayo ang bridge, most likely di na makabyahe ang bus po going here and going out of JAS. Maapektuhan din yung mga local businesses po natin kasi kapag mataas ang tubig sa sapa they would not be able to pass through and ma-delay ang mga deliveries (Since the bridge hasn’t been repaired, buses can’t come in or out of JAS. Local businesses are also affected—when the river rises, deliveries can’t pass through, causing delays),” JAS-MDRRMO’s Ariel Acosta said.

Healthcare services have also been disrupted, with officials expressing concern over the risks of transporting patients across the river. Acosta noted that the unpredictable water levels pose life-threatening risks, not just for the sick but also for ordinary residents trying to cross.

“This concern should be addressed, kay the LGU is not capable of repairing such a structure (This needs to be addressed by higher government agencies because our local government doesn’t have the resources to repair a major bridge),” Acosta shared.

While there is a longer detour through General Santos City, Acosta said it’s impractical due to time and cost.

“Davao City to JAS is only around five to seven hours, depending on where you are specifically going to JAS. Pero mag-twice ni kadugay ang travel kung sa Gensan muagi, not to mention nga daghang daut-daot pud nga dalan ang maagian nimo (Travel from Davao City to JAS usually takes five to seven hours, but passing through General Santos doubles that time, and the roads are in bad condition),” he said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao Region has begun assessing the damage. DPWH-Davao regional director Dean Ortiz confirmed that the bridge structure remains intact, but the approach on the Malita side collapsed due to scouring. Equipment and personnel have already been deployed, and repair work will begin once weather conditions improve.

“We are going to restore the bridge approach as soon as the weather condition improves, and we have already deployed equipment and personnel for its immediate repair. There’s no damage in the bridge structure itself, only the approach on the Malita side was damaged due to scouring caused by the recent flood,” Ortiz said.

Since the bridge has been closed to vehicles as of May 19, locals are now forced to cross the river on foot. Many wait for the water to recede before crossing, as the current remains strong and some parts of the river are quite deep. Some residents have expressed fear that a single misstep could cause them to be swept away.

Residents, however, say they’ve been warning of the bridge’s vulnerability for months. Acosta, in an interview with GMA Regional TV, said signs of erosion were already visible as early as January, with minor collapses occurring on April 26 and May 18. The situation had already been reported to provincial and regional authorities before the full collapse on May 17.

Locals now have no choice but to cross the river on foot, waiting for the water to subside before doing so. Some river sections remain dangerously deep, and residents fear being swept away by the current. Several motorcycles have already been damaged while being pushed across the river.

JAS residents are urgently calling on the government to fast-track repairs and restore safe access to the town. CEA, DEF