THE Cabagan – Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela was designed to only carry light vehicles, not heavy trucks, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said yesterday.
Castro said this was the initial report made by Secretary Manuel Bonoan on the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on the February 27 collapse of the bridge.
A portion of the bridge connecting Cabagan and Sta. Maria towns in Isabela collapsed on February 27, just weeks after it was opened last February 1. The construction of the bridge started in 2014, but it underwent retrofitting in 2022 in compliance with the updated design code by the DPWH.
In a press briefing, Castro said the initial DPWH report indicated the bridge was “under designed,” noting that it was meant only to carry light vehicles.
“Ang nakikita po so far ay nagkaroon ng under design. Lumalabas din po sa imbestigasyon na ito po talaga ay para sa mga light vehicles ayon doon sa disenyo (What was seen so far is there was an under design. The investigations also showed that the design was really for light vehicles only),” she said.
“Lumalabas din po na yung dumaan na trak – tatlo po raw iyong dumaan na dump truck, puro boulders ang laman, ang karga… dahil may dumaan na ganito mga heavy vehicles na hindi po naaayon doon sa kakayanan ng tulay ([The initial report] also showed that heavy trucks passed, three dump trucks with boulders, passed [the bridge that day] … [these] were beyond the capacity of the bridge),” she added.
The Isabela bridge collapsed while a dump truck supposedly carrying 102 tons of boulders was passing. The incident injurded six persons.
Castro said the DPWH is conducting a deeper and more thorough probe on the incident to identify the technical issues that led to the collapse, and to pinpoint who should be held accountable.
She said there was an initial recommendation to hold the owners or operators of dump trucks that used the bridge even if it was only meant for light or small vehicles.
“Ang sabi nga po ay hindi lamang po ang nakaraang administrasyon ang puwedeng panagutin dito – lahat po, hanggang sa ngayon kung sino po ang maaaring maging may liability dito kung mayroon man, lahat po iyan ay dapat managot (It is not just [officials from] the previous administration that should be held accountable, everyone, including the current administration, whoever has the liability, everyone, will be held accountable),” Castro said.
Meanwhile, former senator Panfilo Lacson, who is seeking a return to the Senate under the administration’s “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” slate, said protecting people’s lives by ensuring public safety must be the main focus of the DPWH investigation.
“Ang purpose natin dito hindi lang mai-save ang pera ng taumbayan, pati ang buhay ng mamamayan ay dapat mapangalagaan din (The purpose of the investigation should be not just to save public funds but to ensure the safety of people’s lives),” he told Bombo Radyo Philippines.
Lacson recalled that he reviewed the implementation of roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects when he was a senator and uncovered improper implementation of projects.
“Noong sa Senate ako, ginagawa namin hindi lang isa o dalawang taon ang aming binabalikan, lalo na kapag may budget deliberation. Hanggang tatlo hanggang apat na taon na paggamit ng budget, binabalikan namin. At nakikita talaga natin ang maling pagpapatupad o pag-implement ng proyekto lalo ang infrastructure projects (When I was in the Senate, we would review projects not only one or two years back, but three to four years. We see in many cases the wrong implementation of the infrastructure projects),” he said.
The veteran lawmaker earlier called for accountability for the bridge’s collapse, citing instances where contractors use substandard materials after having to pay off officials.
Lacson underscored the need for the national government to fund local development plans crafted by local development councils, saying they are in the best position to know their constituents’ needs and priorities.
“There should at least be consultation with the local government units and implementing agencies. Otherwise, appropriations will either go unused or misused,” he said. – With Wendell Vigilia
