Senate set to probe Isabela bridge collapse on March 14

BRIDGE COLLAPSE. A portion of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela province collapsed on Thursday night, Feb. 27, 2025. The Department of Public Works and Highways said an assessment is underway to determine the cause of the incident. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate probe into the collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela province is scheduled on Friday, March 14.

In Senate Resolution No. 1322, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano asked the  Senate’s blue ribbon panel to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the bridge’s collapse, which occurred less than a month after it was opened in February.

His sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, who chairs the blue ribbon panel, has authorized him to lead a motu proprio inquiry into the matter.

“Safe and resilient infrastructure is essential to the transformation of the nation. The blue ribbon needs to look into how the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) deals with errant contractors to ensure that the country and the people are protected against fraudulent and abusive contractors,” his resolution reads.

According to Cayetano, the hearing may also examine other “problematic” DPWH projects to highlight the systemic issue of alleged graft and corruption within the agency.

“It seems like every now and then, every two years, there are projects collapsing and I don’t hear announcements that there were contractors banned or blacklisted,” Cayetano said in Filipino.

On February 27, the Cabagan-Sta Maria Bridge collapsed after a dump truck carrying quarried stones exceeding the 45-ton weight limit attempted to cross.

At least six people were injured and four vehicles were damaged in the incident.

READ: Palace exec: Better check bridges built under Duterte admin

The bridge had been completed on February 1 at P1.22 billion. INQUIRER.net trainee, Sheba Barr