Bound for Iloilo province from Sibalom, the truck was plying the Hamtic-Bia-an-Egaña-Sibalom national road until it passed through the 10-ton limit bridge and prompted the bridge’s approaches to dislodge.

The truck alone weighs over 10 tons with the actual volume of its load unaccounted for as nearby residents immediately recovered its contents after losing control and eventually driving off the side of the road.

According to DPWH Antique District Engineer Mark Anthony Alejo, the Egaña bridge had been previously proposed for retrofitting but was unfortunately not included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).  

Cadiao said that this incident has disrupted the way of life of Antiqueños in this part of the province, citing the unnecessary long travel that must be endured to get across Sibalom from Hamtic and vice versa.

She also urged the DPWH, Land Transportation Office (LTO), the local police, and the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) to perform close coordination and carry out more stringent monitoring to keep overloaded vehicles off the province’s roads.

The governor will also recommend to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) the legislation of increased payments among quarry operators after learning that the provincial government’s share is significantly small.