Marcos: National gov't to provide P300M for bridge repair in Tarlac City

The national government will provide P300 million for bridge repair in Tarlac City following the impact of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Wednesday.

Marcos made the announcement during an inspection of Agana Bridge and Aquino Bridge which were both damaged last week.

"Para maging mas mabilis ang trabaho, we will be downloading P300 million to the local government dahil ito ay local bridge. Kaya sila kailangan ang magtatrabaho dito," Marcos said.

(To make the job faster, we will be downloading P300 million to the local government because it is a local bridge. They will be the ones who will do the work here.)

"Siyempre, tutulungan natin sa technical aspects. We will help them in every way that we can," he added.

(Of course, we will help them in the technical aspects. We will help them in every way that we can.)

A Bailey bridge—made of steel panels and pins for rapid construction—is now being assembled to temporarily replace the section of Agana Bridge that was washed away.

Marcos said the temporary bridge is expected to allow pedestrian traffic within a week, while light vehicles could be allowed to cross within two weeks.

Initially, vans and other vehicles weighing 10 tons or less may be allowed to use the bridge.

For Aquino Bridge, Marcos said repairs may take longer because of the extent of the damage.

He said the damage of the two bridges has left Gerona as the only remaining alternative route for the affected areas.

Master plan, climate change

Marcos described the flooding as unprecedented and attributed the extreme rainfall and flooding to the effects of climate change.

“We already have a master plan, it’s just never been executed. We’re only executing it now. We’ve had master plan for decades. But walang ginawa, hanggang ngayon, ngayon lang natin sinisimulan,” he added.

(We already have a master plan, it’s just never been executed. We’re only executing it now. We’ve had a master plan for decades. But nothing has been done, until now, we’re just starting now.) — VDV/KG, GMA News