Agana Bridge to reopen soon; P300M for repair of Tarlac bridges – Marcos

MANILA, Philippines – The national government will allocate P300 million for the rehabilitation of two bridges that partially collapsed due to strong river currents and continuous heavy rains, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.

Marcos made the announcement after inspecting the Agana and Aquino bridges in Tarlac City.

In a statement, Marcos said the Agana bridge could reopen to pedestrians within one week and to light vehicles weighing 10 tons or less within two weeks.

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

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“We will be giving P300 million to the local government dahil ito ay local bridge. Kaya sila kailangan ng magkatrabaho dito. Siyempre tutulungan natin, tutulungan sa technical aspects that will help them in everything, every way that we can,” Marcos said.

(We will be giving P300 million to the local government because this is a local bridge. They will be responsible for carrying out the necessary work here. Of course, we will assist them, particularly with the technical aspects, and help them in every way that we can.)

“And of course, local government and national government magtutulungan para maging mas mabilis. Like I say, I hope in two weeks, they assure me that in two weeks there will already be light traffic allowed across Agana Bridge,” he added.

(And of course, the local government and the national government will work together to expedite the repairs. As I said, I hope that within two weeks, they have assured me that light traffic will already be allowed to cross Agana Bridge.)

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Marcos noted that the volume of water brought by the recent rains was unprecedented, contributing to the bridge’s collapse.

He said the government would continue to adjust to better protect infrastructure from the effects of climate change.

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“This bridge has been standing since just after the war. So 70 years old na ito. Sa buong karanasan ng Pilipinas ngayon lang tayo nakatikim ng ganitong klaseng ulan, ganitong klaseng pagbaha dahil nagbabago ang panahon dahil sa climate change,” he said.

(This bridge has been standing since just after the war, so it is around 70 years old. In the entire experience of the Philippines, this is the first time we have experienced this kind of rainfall and flooding, as the climate continues to change due to climate change.)

The Agana Bridge partially collapsed at around 7:40 p.m. on August 29 due to strong and surging floodwaters from the Tarlac River.

It gave way just a day after the nearby Aquino Bridge also collapsed, forcing motorists to take the Agana Bridge as an alternative route.

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While the Agana Bridge is expected to accommodate light traffic within two weeks, Marcos said the Aquino Bridge could take longer to reopen due to the extent of the damage. /gsg