FILE PHOTO: A section of the Wawa Bridge (also known as the Carlos P. Romulo Bridge) in Bayambang town, Pangasinan province, collapsed on Thursday, October 20, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Bayambang MDRRMO)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to be “proactive” in auditing and inspecting public infrastructure.
Revilla’s call came after the Wawa Bridge or Carlos Romulo Bridge in Pangasinan collapsed, injuring four people.
READ: 4 hurt in Pangasinan bridge collapse
“Maaari naman sanang naiwasan ito kung ginawa lang ng DPWH ang kanilang trabaho na siguruhing laging nasa mabuting kondisyon at tibay ang mga imprastruktura para sa kaligtasan ng publiko,” he said in a statement, expressing dismay on the incident.
(This should have been avoided if only the DPWH has done its job in making sure that infrastructures are always in good condition and strength for the public’s safety.)
READ: Wawa Bridge collapse: ‘Overloading’ blamed
“As the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Works, I call on the Department of Public Works and Highways to be proactive in auditing and inspecting all existing public infrastructure to ensure their structural integrity,” he added.
Revilla likewise urged the DPWH to lead the coordination in implementing the weight limit on bridges and roads.
READ: Metro Manila road rehab among ‘priority areas’ of DPWH
He further said that infrastructures should be properly assessed and not wait for calamities before checking the conditions of roads and bridges.
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“Failure to conduct timely inspection and retrofitting of public infrastructure puts the safety and lives of our countrymen at risk.”
“The recent collapse of the bridge in Pangasinan is a glaring example of the injurious effects of crumbling infrastructure,” he stressed.
Revilla pushed for the repair of damaged infrastructures so that transportation would not be hampered.