Marcos inspects Tarlac’s broken bridges

TARLAC CITY – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday inspected the ongoing construction of a Bailey bridge to restore access to the collapsed 136-meter-long Agana Bridge here following extreme rains and river movement over the weekend. 

Together with Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon, the President directed the Department of Public Works and Highways to fast-track the construction of the alternate bridge and said the government will provide P300 million in assistance to the Tarlac City government for its rehabilitation.

Marcos said the type of damage incurred by Agana Bridge at Barangay Tibag, which motorists use to access the towns of Sta. Ignacia, Mayantoc, Camiling and San Clemente, as well as the August 28 destruction of the 720-meter-long Aquino Bridge, were the consequences of climate change. 

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READ: Bodies of 2 SUV passengers found after Tarlac bridge collapse

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Accompanying the President in the inspection were Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap, Tarlac Gov. Christian Yap, and Tarlac Rep. Cristy Angeles. 

Mayor Yap said they need 10 days to finish the Bailey bridge construction and to conduct a stress test, but only light vehicles will be allowed to pass Agana bridge. 

On Aug 29, an SUV fell into the Tarlac River right when the Agana bridge collapsed. Only one of the five passengers survived. The remains of two passengers were recovered in Pangasinan, while the last 2 passengers remain missing. 

Tarlac was placed under a state of calamity on August 30 following the massive damage from the southwest monsoon. /coa