Camille Naredo

DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon inspects the damage to the Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City, August 29, 2026. Photo courtesy of Tarlac Gov. Christian Yap

Article (news)

DPWH

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787990346065HQ3YFWQa0AAp1Wy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon inspects the damage to the Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City, August 29, 2026. Photo courtesy of Tarlac Gov. Christian Yap"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon inspects the damage to the Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City, August 29, 2026. <em>Photo courtesy of Tarlac Gov. Christian Yap</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will build a temporary steel structure to reconnect the collapsed portion of Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City, Secretary Vince Dizon said Saturday after conducting on onsite inspection with local officials.</p><p>Dizon said the bridge is a critical link not only for residents of Tarlac City but also for motorists traveling to and from Pangasinan.</p><p>He said floodwaters washed away a portion of the bridge&#x27;s support structure, causing one segment to collapse.</p><p>“Ang problema talaga is tinangay ng tubig yung isang tier sa bandang gitna kaya nahulog yung isang segment ng bridge,” he said.</p><p>Dizon said he has already ordered bridge engineers from Metro Manila to assess the structure and prepare for the temporary works.</p><p>“Kailangan tayo magtayo ng temporary steel structures para lang makonekta yung naputol na segment. Temporary muna yan kasi kung ire-reconstruct natin, babaguhin natin yung buong bridge ay masyadong matagal yun,” he said. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/26/dpwh-vows-to-finish-macabebe-pumping-station-5-unfunded-pampanga-bridges-1956"><strong>DPWH vows to finish Macabebe Pumping Station, 5 unfunded Pampanga bridges </strong></a> </div><p>“Once na bumuti yung panahon, pwede nang simulan yun agad-agad… para magamit na rin for light vehicles” he added.</p><p>In the meantime, motorists can use the nearby Agana Bridge, although it is only suitable for light vehicles.</p><p>“Yung mga trucks and heavy vehicles kailangan iikot muna ng Gerona,” Dizon said.</p><p>Dizon also pointed to changes in the riverbed near the bridge, including accumulated soil on one side.</p><p>He said the area needs regular dredging and desilting to prevent changes in water flow from putting additional pressure on the bridge.</p><p>“Nadedredge at nade-desilt yun kaya pinagalitan ko nga yung District Engineer. Dapat yun regular ang dredging at desilting,” Dizon said.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/26/dpwh-seeks-p83-84-billion-for-locally-funded-flood-control-says-no-leadership-fund-in-2027-1538"><strong>DPWH seeks P83.84-B for locally-funded flood control, says no ‘leadership fund’ in 2027 budget</strong></a></div><p>“Kasi dahil nga sa mataas na lupa sa other side, yung force, yung agos ng tubig mas malakas kung saan nahulog yung bridge,” he added. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SINKHOLE</strong></div><p>The DPWH is also investigating a sinkhole near the collapsed bridge.</p><p>Dizon said a portion of the pedestrian walkway beside the bridge has been closed as a precaution after authorities raised concerns that it could also give way. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/27/habagat-damage-hits-p2-billion-in-occidental-mindoro-state-of-calamity-eyed-0920"><strong>Habagat damage hits P2 billion in Occidental Mindoro; state of calamity eyed</strong></a></div><p>“Pinapasara muna natin yung mahabang area nung pedestrian na daanan sa right side ng bridge kasi di natin alam baka bumagsak din yun,” he said.</p><p>He added that engineers are checking what caused the sinkhole, with water seeping from the river among the possible factors.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LUBAO DAM</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Dizon said the DPWH is prioritizing the removal of debris that blocked the Sto. Cristo Dam in Lubao, Pampanga, after floodwaters swept into nearby homes. </p><p>Dizon said the bigger problem was the dam, which became blocked by debris, large logs and other waste carried downstream.</p><p>“Ang problema lang talaga yung dam natin, yung sa Sto. Cristo dam, nablock ng mga dumi at malalaking kahoy at basura galing sa upstream,” he added.</p><p>“So dahil doon naharang yung dam kahapon, umikot yung tubig, naghanap ng ibang dadaanan, tinamaan ngayon yung mga bahay sa kabilang side,” Dizon said. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/28/matugas-son-face-graft-malversation-complaints-1703"><strong>Matugas, son face graft, malversation complaints over ‘incomplete’ P80.6-M road project</strong></a></div><p>The Secretary also noted that the area where a house was damaged by the flash flood is considered a no-build zone because it is located along the riverbank.</p><p>He urged local government units to be stricter in enforcing easement regulations.</p><p>“Talagang kailangan pagbawalan yung pagtatayo ng mga bahay along the riverbank. Kailangan yung no-build zone na ilang metro from the riverbank kailangan ma-maintain yun,” he said.</p>

<p>The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will build a temporary steel structure to reconnect the collapsed portion of Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City, Secretary Vince Dizon said Saturday after conducting on onsite inspection with local officials.</p>

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will build a temporary steel structure to reconnect the collapsed portion of Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City, Secretary Vince Dizon said Saturday after conducting on onsite inspection with local officials.

DPWH to build temporary steel structure to reconnect collapsed Aquino Bridge in Tarlac

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DPWH to build temporary steel structure to reconnect collapsed Aquino Bridge in Tarlac

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 29, 2026 04:00 PM PHT

Read More:

DPWH

Tarlac City

Aquino Bridge

Habagat

Lubao

Pampanga

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