The national government is allocating P300 million in direct aid along with technical support to Tarlac City to fast-track the reconstruction of the collapsed Agana Bridge, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Wednesday.
The funding initiative follows severe structural damage caused by relentless torrential rains and flooding driven by the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat).
President Marcos, joined by Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, personally conducted an on-site inspection of the damaged Agana Bridge and the nearby Aquino Bridge, which was similarly severely impacted during the weather surge.
To restore immediate connectivity for surrounding communities, the President confirmed that a temporary modular Bailey bridge is actively under construction alongside the original structure.
According to the chief executive, the temporary crossing is projected to open for pedestrian traffic within a week. It is scheduled to accommodate light vehicles weighing 10 tons or less within two weeks.
Meanwhile, authorities cautioned that repairs on the Aquino Bridge will require a significantly longer timeline due to the far more extensive structural damage sustained by the crossing.