The 45-year-old Piggatan Bridge in Alcala, Cagayan collapsed on Monday afternoon, October 6, after multiple trucks reportedly exceeded its 18-ton load limit, leaving seven people injured.
According to the Cagayan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), four trucks fell along with the bridge when it collapsed over 20 feet.
PDRRMO Head Rueli Rapsing said over dzBB on Tuesday, October 7, that seven individuals sustained minor injuries from the bridge’s collapse, which included truck drivers and passengers. No one died.
In its initial report Monday night, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said three loaded trucks, each carrying an estimated 50 tons, were on the bridge when it collapsed.
However, Rapsing said the exact load of each truck has yet to be confirmed, adding that it remains unclear whether overloading actually caused the collapse.
He said that multiple delivery trucks regularly pass through the Piggatan Bridge, which serves as a major thoroughfare in Cagayan.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency is trying to figure out how to quickly repair or replace the bridge, especially during harvest season when truckloads of agricultural crops like palay and corn are transported in Cagayan through the Piggatan Bridge.
‘Eh kritikal ito papuntang Norte at papuntang Tuguegarao at dahil sa bumagsak na kahapon nito, ang layo ng iikutan ng mga kababayan natin, lalo na ‘yung mga truck na may dala dalang maraming mga palay at mais,’ he said over dzBB on Tuesday.
(This route is critical for travel to the North and to Tuguegarao, and with the bridge collapsing yesterday, residents now have to take a much longer detour, especially trucks carrying loads of rice and corn.)
Motorists and trucks have been advised to take these alternative routes while the bridge remains closed:
To Tuguegarao: Dummon-Capissayan, Baggao-Peñablanca Road
To Aparri and Sta. Ana: Baybayog-Capissayan-Dummon / Burobor Road.
Another alternative: From Tuguegarao Junction Baybayog, pass through Poblacion, Bitag Grande, San Jose and then turn left to Nangalinan, leading to Tallang, Remus and Capissayan, Gattaran
Vehicles from here can turn right to Nabaccayan, leading to Lal-lo or head straight to Dummun Gattaran Centro.
For light vehicles: Piggatan-Maraburab Barangay Road
For heavy vehicles: Junction Gattaran-Cumao-Capissayan-Sta. Margarita Bolos
With the longer detours, logistical costs are expected to rise, Dizon said.
He also urged authorities to inspect other bridges nationwide, noting that many 10- to 18-wheeler trucks regularly cross them to transport goods, often with little oversight.
Dizon added that a temporary bridge may be constructed in the coming months.