Cagayan Gov. Edgar Aglipay has ordered a full investigation into the collapse of the 50-year-old Piggatan Bridge in Alcala on Monday, which sent five heavily loaded trucks crashing into the river and rendered the Tuguegarao–northern Cagayan highway impassable.
The bridge, built in 1974 with an 18-ton load limit, buckled under the estimated 50-ton combined weight of the trucks.
Aglipay urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to hold accountable those who violated load regulations and to inspect other aging bridges in the province to prevent similar incidents.
Alcala Mayor Cristina Antonio called the tragedy a wake-up call, stressing the need for stronger infrastructure to accommodate the region’s growing transport demands.
The DPWH has dispatched engineers to assess the damage, while one truck driver remains hospitalized, and efforts continue to retrieve the fallen vehicles.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 8, 2025
