Why the Tacloban Causeway Remains Unfinished

Posted on Jan. 16, 2026 at 8:50 am

TACLOBAN CITY — A ₱4.48-billion road project intended to ease travel between Tacloban City and its airport remains unfinished and uncertain, as environmental objections, permit restrictions, and technical setbacks have forced the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to halt construction and prepare for rebidding of the remaining works.

The Tacloban Causeway Project, one of DPWH’s major infrastructure initiatives in Eastern Visayas, was designed to provide a direct connection across Cancabato Bay through a 2.55-kilometer, four-lane embankment road. The planned structure includes sidewalks, bike lanes, wave deflectors, drainage canals, and a bridge aimed at improving traffic flow and long-term connectivity in the city.

As of August 31, 2025, the project recorded an overall physical accomplishment of only 29.13 percent.

Environmental, regulatory hurdles slow work

Construction slowed and later stopped in phases after environmental protests were raised by fisherfolk and conservation groups, who warned that the embankment could affect marine ecology, water circulation, and traditional fishing grounds in Cancabato Bay.

The concerns gained institutional backing in May 2023, when the Tacloban City Council passed Resolution No. 15-88, formally requesting DPWH to place the project in abeyance pending further review, citing the bay’s status as a protected area.

At the national level, the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) withheld the issuance of a reclamation permit and imposed a moratorium while environmental compliance requirements and revised designs were evaluated. Without the permit, large portions of the remaining works could not proceed.

DPWH also encountered technical challenges, particularly the unavailability of armored rocks needed for shoreline protection. This forced engineers to revise the project’s original design, further delaying implementation.

With major components still unbuilt and subject to updated technical and environmental requirements, DPWH said the remaining scope of work will undergo rebidding once all regulatory clearances are secured.

Billions allocated, uneven progress

Funding for the project was released in phases through the national budget, though progress varied across allocations.

Under the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA), ₱880 million was allocated, with about 88 percent of the funded scope completed. Asphalt paving has been deferred because the roadway continues to serve as an access route for heavy equipment. DPWH said unused funds from this allocation will be returned to the National Treasury.

The 2024 GAA provided ₱1.92 billion, but work under this tranche stalled due to the lack of armored rock supply. DPWH revised the design, shifting to concrete block protection, with fabrication and construction expected to resume after approvals and procurement.

Another ₱1.17 billion was allocated under the 2025 GAA, but implementation remains dependent on the completion of earlier phases and the availability of access routes.

DPWH stressed that payments to contractors were based strictly on actual accomplishments, and no funds were released for unimplemented works.

To mitigate environmental impact and improve water flow in Cancabato Bay, DPWH introduced key design changes. The bridge component was lengthened from 180 meters to 360 meters, additional culverts were added to enhance circulation, and shoreline protection was redesigned using concrete blocks instead of rock armor.

The agency said it continues to coordinate with the PRA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Tacloban City government to complete compliance requirements and secure permits.

Heightened scrutiny, public attention

The stalled causeway also drew wider public attention in 2023 after it was mentioned in discussions involving former DPWH official Zaldy Co, whose name surfaced in connection with alleged irregularities in certain DPWH projects. While no finding has directly linked the Tacloban Causeway Project to any wrongdoing, the issue heightened scrutiny over large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly those involving reclamation and environmentally sensitive areas.

Livelihoods at stake

Cancabato Bay remains a vital fishing ground for hundreds of small-scale fisherfolk in coastal barangays of Tacloban. Environmental groups have repeatedly warned that large embankment structures could disrupt water circulation and marine habitats if not properly mitigated, prompting regulators to require further studies before allowing construction to resume.

What lies ahead

DPWH said the project will move forward toward rebidding and revised implementation once environmental, regulatory, and technical requirements are fully addressed. When completed, the causeway is expected to provide an alternative and more resilient access route between Tacloban City and its airport.

For now, however, the unfinished road across Cancabato Bay stands as a reminder of the complex balance between infrastructure development, environmental protection, and public accountability—an issue that continues to divide stakeholders in the city.

(Photos by: The Vanguard)