In response to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) deployed emergency response equipment to assist residents of Tarlac City following the partial collapse of the Aquino Bridge after heavy monsoon rains last month.
On behalf of the President, Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos led the send-off at the MMDA Motorcycle Riding Academy in Pasig City. Abalos said that President Marcos called for a swift response after seeing reports that students and commuters cross the river via an airbed pulled by locals.
“The President saw the reports of residents there taking their makeshift river crossing. He instructed an immediate response while the Aquino bridge is currently undergoing repairs. I extend my gratitude to the MMDA for its fast organization and mobilization of assets to help our kababayans in Tarlac City,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
Artes said that the deployment of assets and personnel aims to help the affected residents cross the river safely.
“With the 100 meters river crossing, we will deploy 50 units of pontoons or floaters to serve as an alternative river crossing which will be secured with bamboo hand railings.”
“With the 100 meters river crossing, we will deploy 50 units of pontoons or floaters to serve as an alternative river crossing which will be secured with bamboo hand railings. These, along with 50 life vests and eight engine-operated rubber boats, will provide our kababayans in Tarlac City a safer river crossing alternative instead of resorting to airbeds as their makeshift boats,” he said.
Aside from the pontoons, life vests, and rubber boats, the MMDA will likewise deploy four trucks that can be submerged in water as high as 6 feet. There are also 45 personnel from the agency’s Public Safety Office who will help set up the pontoon in the area.
“We will leave the pontoons in the area as long as necessary to give affected Tarlac City residents a safer way to cross the river.”
“We will leave the pontoons in the area as long as necessary to give affected Tarlac City residents a safer way to cross the river,” Artes said.
Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap, who personally inspected the equipment, said that she is awaiting test results on whether the tiers can still hold and if steel structures can be installed in Aquino bridge.
“This assistance from the MMDA is a big help to our residents as the Aquino Bridge supplements the traffic on another bridge that links Western Tarlac and Pangasinan,” Yap stressed.
