The General Luna Bridge in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, better known as Valdefuente Bridge, has developed holes on its flooring just two years after it was opened to motorists.

The damage, first spotted in May 2025 as small potholes, grew quickly due to the constant passage of heavy trucks. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has since placed steel plates over the affected portion to allow vehicles to pass, while repairs began on September 5, 2025.

“Ang project po kasi na ’to ay tatlong phase. Hindi ko lang po mai-sure kung gaano kalaki ’yung amount per phase, pero dun po sa tatlong phase na ’yun nag-start ’yung una 2018 po,” Kenneth Alcantara, office engineer of the project contractor, said.

Motorists like Francklin Lacandoza complained about the inconvenience, especially with traffic congestion building up whenever trucks are forced to avoid the damaged area.

“Medyo abala din po ’yan minsan, kasi buhat po nung nasira po ’yung tulay, sarado din po ’to. Halos pagka po natapat ’yung malaking truck doon, iniiwasan nila, nagkakasalubong-salubong po diyan. Kaya minsan po nagta-traffic,” Lacandoza said.

“Mainam na po at maayos at ng iwas trapiko. Hindi naman ho [abala] kasi ho maliit lang po sasakyan namin e.” Arnold Mactal, another motorist, added.

The DPWH and the contractor promised to finish the repairs within seven days.

“Tinitingnan po namin na maayos ito sa loob ng isang linggo dahil gaya nga po ng sabi ko, malaki ’yung implication nito sa mga motorista pati na rin po sa mga ahensya po ng gobyerno,” Alcantara said.

Authorities also appealed to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to enforce provincial ordinances strictly against overloaded and oversized trucks, which they said are the main culprits behind the early damage of roads and bridges.