Cayetano: Collapsed bridge in Isabela reveals numerous ‘fail’ marks

MANILA, Philippines — Over 900 failures were already detected prior to the collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela, according to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

At the Senate panel on blue ribbon’s hearing on Wednesday, Cayetano said an evaluation on the as-built condition of the bridge submitted by urban engineers showed that there were approximately “935 fails” detected.

READ: Isabela Bridge collapse: A question of measurement or accountability?

“Ito po ang sinubmit ng urban engineers. Lahat ng pink ang ibig sabihin n’yan ay fail. Anyway, kahit saang page ko tiningnan may kulay pink. Fail fail fail fail. So 935 fails,” said Cayetano.

“Forgive me, Mr. Secretary—allow me to make this point one more time. Outraged kasi hindi naman pala unexpected na bumagsak ang bridge. Kasi nga kung since 2018 until now—5 years—problem after problem after problem and then ganyan karaming fails,” he added.

In the same hearing, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said they have already established a special committee tasked with conducting a comprehensive and in depth investigation into the bridge’s collapse.

Bonoan the special committee has been directed to submit each finding on or before April 25.

On February 27, the Cabagan-Sta Maria Bridge collapsed when 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.

The bridge, which was constructed in November 2014, was initially slated to be completed in 2019. However, it underwent retrofitting and was officially completed on Feb. 1, at a total cost of P1.225 billion.