President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the immediate release of ₱300 million in national financial aid to assist in the repair of two flood-damaged bridges in Tarlac City.
During an on-site inspection of the Aquino and Agana Bridges in Barangay San Isidro on Wednesday, September 2, the President indicated that although the damaged structures are local municipal projects, the national government will actively step in alongside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to provide financial and technical backing.
“So, para maging mas mabilis ang trabaho, we will be downloading ₱300 million to the local government dahil ito ay local bridge. Kaya sila kailangan ang magtatrabaho dito. Siyempre, tutulungan natin, tutulungan sa technical aspects and we’ll help them in every way that we can,” Marcos said following the evaluation.
He emphasized that releasing the allocation directly to the local government unit ensures uninterrupted funding and allows reconstruction activities to move forward without unnecessary delay.
“But just so that it is properly funded, it will go through the local government. The ₱300 million that will come from the national government, ibibigay natin sa local government. And of course, local government and the national government magtutulungan para maging mas mabilis,” the President added.
To restore critical transit links immediately, Marcos directed the DPWH to build a temporary, modular Bailey bridge at the site. The prefabricated structure requires minimal heavy machinery and is slated to be set up within a week.
Full access for light vehicles weighing up to 10 tons, such as passenger vans, is projected to resume within two weeks as repairs continue.