Cagayan Governor Edgar Aglipay has ordered a thorough investigation into the Piggatan Bridge collapse in Alcala, Cagayan.
During an inspection with Alcala Mayor Tin Antonio and officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 2, alternate routes were immediately established for motorists.
Light vehicles were redirected to Brgy. Piggatan Circumferential Road, while heavy vehicles were advised to take the Baybayog-San Jose, Baggao-Capissayan, Dummon, Gattaran Road route.
Initial police findings revealed that four vehicles, including two trailer trucks loaded with sacks of rice bound for Cauayan City, one truck carrying cement and steel, and two empty elf trucks, simultaneously crossed the bridge.
The total weight of the vehicles reached 155 tons, far exceeding the bridge’s 18-ton capacity, according to Mayor Antonio.
Governor Aglipay stated that the owners of the overloaded trailer trucks may face legal consequences for violating the bridge’s load limit.
He also ordered an assessment of the Buntun Bridge and other aging bridges in the province, along with the deployment of personnel to monitor and prevent overloaded vehicles from crossing.
Police confirmed that one driver was injured after being trapped in the rice-laden trailer truck but is now in stable condition after receiving medical attention.
Mayor Antonio emphasized that the incident should not be viewed as a simple case of overloading but as a call to build infrastructure that meets current demands.