Agana Bridge Collapses Hours After Aquino Bridge, Severing Major Tarlac City Access

Breaking News

A section of Agana Bridge collapsed at approximately 7:40 p.m. Saturday, cutting the alternate route being used after part of Aquino Bridge fell late Friday night. With both primary crossings over the Tarlac River now impassable, normal access between central Tarlac City and communities west of the river has been severely disrupted.

Updated August 29, 2026, shortly before 9 p.m. Philippine time. This is a developing emergency.

Field photographs published by Tarlac Forum at 8:40 p.m. show a wide gap in Agana Bridge, powerful river flow below the structure and utility lines hanging near the closed approach. The Tarlac City Government separately confirmed that Agana Bridge is closed because of damage caused by continuous rain and the strong flow of the Tarlac River.

Local reports put the bridge failure at about 7:40 p.m. Authorities were still determining whether any vehicles or people were caught when the span gave way. No confirmed casualty count was available at the time of this update.

Two major bridges lost in less than 24 hours

Agana Bridge had become the main alternate crossing after a section of Aquino Bridge collapsed at approximately 11:55 p.m. Friday, August 28.

Authorities closed Aquino Bridge shortly before the first collapse after observing signs of structural instability. A section approximately 25 meters long then fell into the river as powerful currents eroded its support structure. The Aquino Bridge collapse was reported early Saturday, when motorists were directed toward Agana Bridge.

Agana then failed Saturday evening after hours of continuous rain and pressure from the swollen Tarlac River. The city’s closure notice warns motorists not to attempt to cross and directs them to use alternate routes. It does not yet provide an engineering assessment or report any casualties.

Latest Agana Bridge photographs

The following field views, all recorded at approximately 8:40 p.m. Saturday, show the missing span, the swollen river and the restricted bridge approach from several angles.

Gallery photos published by Tarlac Forum.

Major western access into Tarlac City is severed

The loss of both bridges means the normal western approaches into central Tarlac City are no longer available. The closures particularly affect traffic serving San Isidro, Sta. Ignacia, Mayantoc, Camiling and San Clemente, as well as travel toward Mangatarem, Pangasinan.

Tarlac City is not completely isolated, but motorists will have to make significantly longer detours. The official closure notice tells drivers to use alternate routes but does not yet designate specific roads. Residents and public commenters have pointed to the Gerona–Tagumbao and Balanti–Armenia corridors; motorists should treat those as unconfirmed suggestions until traffic authorities issue a route plan.

Drivers should follow police and traffic officers rather than relying solely on navigation apps. Flooding, fallen trees, damaged roads and congestion may make additional routes unsafe or impassable without warning.

Residents warned to stay away

Continuous southwest monsoon rain has swollen the Tarlac River and damaged both major crossings. New field photographs also show sagging utility lines near Agana Bridge. The ground surrounding the river remains unstable, and further erosion or structural failures are possible.

Residents should stay away from both collapsed bridges, nearby riverbanks and damaged dikes. Motorists must not cross barricades or approach the structures to take photographs.

Tarlac City emergency contacts

• Tarlac City CDRRMO: 0921-930-0047 or (045) 470-8647
• Tarlac City Fire Station: 0991-512-4752, (045) 982-1356 or (045) 606-0329
• Tarlac City Police Station: 0998-598-5494

MyPHLife will update this report as authorities confirm casualties, stranded vehicles, structural damage and official detour routes.