Makabayan bloc files House resolution to probe Isabela bridge collapse
IT COMES CRASHING DOWN The third span of this 990-meter Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Cabagan, Isabela, comes crashing down along with a dump truck, whose content of quarried stones have been spilled all over the damaged section of the span. Four other vehicles also crossing the newly completed bridge at that time were damaged, injuring six people. —VILLAMOR VISAYA JR.
MANILA, Philippines — Makabayan bloc lawmakers have filed a resolution seeking a congressional probe into the collapse of the P1.22 billion Sta. Maria-Cabagan bridge in Isabela province.
House Deputy Minority leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro led the filing of House Resolution No. 2249 on Wednesday afternoon.
In the resolution released to the media on Thursday, the lawmakers alleged that corruption, the use of substandard materials, and negligence in the daily operation of the project may have caused the collapse.
READ: Isabela bridge collapse initially traced to ‘under-design’
Based on reports, the bridge collapsed on February 27 after a dump truck carrying quarried stones weighing 102 tons tried to cross it. This injured at least eight individuals.
The bridge was opened last month after over a decade since its construction began in November 2024. Only light vehicles were allowed to pass the bridge since it had a 44-ton weight capacity.
Lawmakers pointed out that the long delay in the project completion and the collapse “raised serious concerns about the design and its approval, the quality of materials used, the integrity of the construction, and the oversight of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other government agencies involved in its day-to-day operations.”
They also mentioned that “allegations of corruption, inadequate inspections, substandard materials, and possible collusion between contractors and government officials have surfaced,” claiming that “DPWH has long been perceived as an agency plagued with corruption, as evidenced by multiple cases of infrastructure failures across the country.”
In line with this, the lawmakers urged the lower chamber to investigate the collapse and “identify the responsible parties, determine whether corruption and negligence played a role, and propose necessary reforms to prevent similar disasters in the future.”
