Tarlac city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared PHP300 million in aid to support the local government's efforts in repairing the Agana Bridge in Barangay San Isidro, Tarlac City. Parts of the bridge were destroyed due to severe flooding caused by an intensified southwest monsoon.

According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos surveyed the damaged Agana Bridge and the nearby Aquino Bridge, which also suffered destruction from the high volume and force of recent floodwaters. As a temporary solution, a Bailey bridge is being assembled to facilitate crossing over the damaged section of Agana Bridge.

Marcos informed reporters that within a week, the Bailey bridge should be operational for pedestrian use, with expectations to open it for vehicular traffic within two weeks. Initially, the temporary bridge will accommodate only light vehicles weighing up to 10 tons.

The President assured that the national government would provide technical support to the local government to expedite the bridge's restoration. He noted that the Agana Bridge, constructed shortly after World War II, had stood for approximately 70 years before the unprecedented flooding.

Marcos attributed the severe flooding to changing weather patterns associated with climate change and emphasized the importance of government adaptation to increasingly extreme weather events. He noted that the Aquino Bridge might take longer to repair due to more extensive damage, impacting local mobility and necessitating longer alternate routes for motorists.