TARLAC CITY, Tarlac – The Agana Bridge is once again passable to the public, as a temporary Bailey Bridge was officially opened this morning, September 23, more than three weeks after the original structure was severely damaged by heavy rains brought by Habagat on August 29.
The opening, which took place shortly after 8:00 AM, was preceded by a blessing led by Rev. Fr. Owen Fernandez, Assistant Director of Caritas Tarlac, alongside Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap and other local government officials. The bridge is now open to pedestrians and select types of vehicles.
In a Facebook live video posted on her social media accounts, Mayor Yap announced the reopening.
“Sa ating mga kababayan, magiging 1-way po muna, at bawal po ang malalaking truck. So, sundin po natin ang ating kapulisan, at ang ating mga POSO para sa traffic guidelines. So, keep safe, everyone,” she said.
She also expressed her gratitude to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for its round-the-clock work to complete the project.
“Thank you pala sa DPWH na nagtrabaho 24 hours para magawa ito, at malaking kaginhawaan po para sa ating lahat,” Yap added.
According to an advisory from the Tarlac 1st District Engineering Office, the bridge is open to a specific classification of vehicles, including bicycles, motorcycles, tricycles, sedans, hatchbacks, crossovers, SUVs, pickup trucks, L300 vans, jeepneys, ambulances, and small trucks like the Elf and Mini Dump Truck.
The bridge has a clearance of 2.4 meters, a speed limit of 20 kph, and a strict 10-ton weight limit.
The new bridge is a critical connection for residents and businesses, as the damaged Agana Bridge had forced motorists and commuters to take a detour of one to two hours through Gerona or rely on boat transfers.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, who visited the site on September 20, confirmed that the bridge would be opened this week. He noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had ordered the immediate opening of the bridge to alleviate the suffering of commuters and ensure the flow of goods in the province.
Tarlac Governor Christian Yap and Tarlac 2nd District Representative Cristy Angeles have also pledged that the local government will help enforce the 10-ton weight limit to ensure the bridge’s longevity.
Meanwhile, the DPWH is continuing to coordinate with the Tarlac local government for the repair of the permanent Aquino Bridge, the bridge that first collapsed. Secretary Dizon stated that construction on the new Aquino Bridge is set to begin in the coming weeks or by early next month, as they are already finalizing the design with the provincial and local governments.
It can be recalled that President Marcos provided P300 million in funding to the Tarlac LGU to build a sturdier, more climate-ready bridge.
The reopening of the Agana Bailey Bridge brings immediate relief to Tarlac City residents, restoring a vital link to the rest of the province. While the temporary structure meets the urgent need, the upcoming permanent, climate-resilient Aquino Bridge promises a more durable solution.
The damaged bridge had left approximately 23,000 households on the western side of the Tarlac River isolated, triggering severe water supply disruptions, transportation issues, and even internet problems, with cut-off residents enduring long detours or boat rides just to cross and joking among themselves that they were residents of “kabilang isla.”
With the Bailey Bridge now open, the community can finally move forward—together and connected once again.
