Seven people were injured after the 45-year-old Piggatan Bridge in Alcala, Cagayan collapsed late afternoon on Monday, October 6, 2025, as overloaded trucks carrying rice and corn crossed it.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the trucks each weighed around 50 tons, far exceeding the bridge’s 18-ton capacity.

Authorities are also looking into when the bridge was last retrofitted or reinforced, which officials said should have been done regularly. 

The 74.7-meter bridge, built in 1980, was the only link from Tuguegarao to Northern Cagayan, including Aparri. It also served as a main route for transporting farmers’ crops to the north.

Alcala Mayor Tin Antonio said the bridge, the oldest in their town, could no longer withstand such heavy load.

One of the truck drivers, Jonathan Relos, said they heard a loud crash before the bridge gave way. He was on his way to deliver 650 sacks of rice to Cauayan City, Isabela. Another driver, Patrocinio Battad, recalled how he thought it was an earthquake.

“May narinig akong parang nabali, tapos biglang nayanig ‘yung sasakyan namin. Ang pagaakala ko lumindol lang. Tapos bigla na lang bumagsak pababa sasakyan namin. Kaya napahawak ako nang mahigpit sa manibela at pumikit na lang ako,” Battad said.

The Cagayan provincial government said it would file complaints against the truck owners, who have yet to be identified. Governor Edgar Aglipay said they may face charges of negligence and destruction of public property.

“Pakakasuhan muna natin sila. Negligence, destruction of public property. At para merong tumanda rin ‘yung mga di naniniwala sa 18 tons na yan,” Aglipay said.

The drivers, however, appealed to transfer their rice cargo to other trucks so it would not spoil.

DPWH is now conducting an assessment to determine the next steps to take. District Engineer Oscar Gumiran said they are awaiting orders from DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.

“Anyway, nandiyan na ‘yung mga taga-Bureau of Design natin, they will be coming here with our Regional Director and I believe, together with our Provincial Governor, so pupunta sila dito para mag-assess. Pagkatapos siguro ng assessment nila, saka tayo makakapagbigay ng official information,” Gumiran said.

Dizon, who is set to visit the site, said the national government would fund the rehabilitation of the bridge. The project had a P45-million allocation under the 2026 National Expenditure Program, but this was not implemented in time.

“National government po magpupondo nito. Maghanap tayo ng pondo either sa budget ngayon or sa susunod na taon pero kailangan ito at the very least may temporary bridge tayo naitayo diyan very soon,” Dizon said.

The local government has enforced a rerouting plan while the bridge remains closed. Authorities have also increased monitoring of residents attempting to cross the damaged structure and deployed police personnel to secure the stranded trucks carrying rice and corn to prevent possible theft.

Cagayan Governor Edgar Aglipay also ordered strict monitoring of old bridges across the province to prevent similar incidents. He added that the DPWH must ensure a thorough investigation into the collapse.