Relief came to residents and commuters in western barangays of Tarlac City as the temporary Agana Bailey Bridge reopened to pedestrians and light vehicles on September 23.

Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap led the opening of the temporary bridge at around 8 a.m., restoring limited access across the Agana River after the original bridge partially collapsed on August 29 due to heavy rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon.

Yap said the reopening would provide much-needed relief to residents and workers in the city’s western barangays, as well as travelers from other parts of Tarlac and neighboring towns in Pangasinan.

She thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon for acting quickly to contract the temporary bridge following the collapse.

“Thank you to President BongBong Marcos, Secretary Vince for their action. Our people and light vehicles can now pass through this bridge,” Yap said.

Meanwhile, the city government is set to construct a temporary pedestrian bridge along the Aquino Bridge to provide an additional crossing for pedestrians.

Arvin F. M. Cabalu