A century-old acacia tree fell morning on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in Mangaldan, Pangasinan, injuring two women who were on their way to work.

Shiela Revuta and her friend had just stepped out of a church gate when the tree collapsed. They managed to run before it hit them, but its branches still struck them, causing bruises on their forehead and elbows.

“Mabuti nakatakbo kami. Kung hindi, baka hindi namin alam kung anong mangyari sa amin,” Revuta said.

Chris Lacaste, a church caretaker, said there was no strong wind or rain when the incident happened.

“’Yung nagbebenta ng sampaguita diyan, buti nasigawan ko. Nakatakbo siya. Talagang mabilis ang pangyayari kasi, minuto lang,” he said.

The tree damaged a waiting shed nearby, a streetlight, and the roof of a parked tricycle.

According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the tree’s roots had rotted, which likely caused it to fall.

“Kumuha tayo ng dalawang chainsaw para mabilis. Matanda na rin kasi talaga ‘yang puno kaya dumating na rin ‘yung pagbuwal pero hindi natin inaasahan,” MDRRM Officer Rodolfo Corla said.

Authorities quickly launched a clearing operation, which took nearly three hours to complete. Traffic also began to build up in the area during the cleanup.