‘Underdesign’ eyed in Isabela bridge collapse

The third span of the 990-meter Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Cabagan, Isabela, collapsed last week.  (VILLAMOR VISAYA JR. / INQUIRER)

MANILA, Philippines — The portion of a bridge connecting the towns of Cabagan and Sta. Maria in Isabela province may have collapsed due to underdesign, based on an initial investigation by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Citing a conversation with Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Claire Castro said on Wednesday that Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge may not be able to carry the load of trucks that passed through resulting in the collapse.

“Noong nagkaroon po kami ng pakikipag-usap kay Secretaty Bonoan, nagkaroon na po talaga ng imbestigasyon, but it’s an initial investigation,” she said at a Palace briefing.

(When we had a conversation with Secretary Bonoan, there was indeed an investigation, but it’s an initial investigation.)

“Ang nakikita po so far ay nagkaroon ng underdesign; lumalabas din po sa imbestigasyon na ito po talaga ay para sa mga light vehicles ayon doon sa disenyo,” Castro added.

(What can be seen so far is that there was an underdesign; it also appears from the investigation that this is actually for light vehicles according to the design.)

Castro further added that while the construction of the bridge began in 2014 and the retrofitting was finished just last February 1, all those involved in the incident will be held accountable.

“Isa sa mga sinsabi po ni Secretary Bonoan, ay maari po, hindi pa po ito conclusion, maaari lamang po na mapanagot din ‘yung may-ari o corporation na may-ari ng dump trucks,” she said.

(One of the things that Secretary Bonoan said is that it is possible; this is not yet a conclusion; it is only possible that the owner or corporation that owns the dump trucks can also be held accountable.)

She added that further investigation will be conducted to determine whether it was indeed under design that caused the collapse.

The DPWH – Cagayan Valley on Friday reported that around 8 p.m. of Thursday, the third span from the Cabagan side of the bridge collapsed after a dump truck loaded with boulder with a calculated approximate gross vehicle weight of around 102 tons passed by.