Local authorities bared on Friday morning, Feb 28, that a more thorough investigation by related agencies from the national level is underway following the collapse of a portion of the newly opened Cabagan – Sta Maria Bridge in Cabagan, Isabela at around 8pm on Thursday night, Feb 27.
Local authorities initially attribute the collapse to the crossing of a dump truck carrying boulders/ stones, which is allegedly too heavy for the bridge’s weight limit.
In an official statement, the regional DPWH office said an in-depth investigation is underway on the ’cause of failure,’ by the Bureau of Design and Bureau of Construction.
According to the DPWH, the bridge started construction over 10 years ago in November 2014, and was only recently completed last February 1, 2025.
The 990 meter bridge costs a gargantuan total of P1,225,537,087.92 (P1.2 billion) packed with 12 arches.
During the collapse, 4 vehicles including a dump truck carrying sand, an SUV, a car and a motorcycle fell with the 3rd span of the bridge from the Cabagan side.
Police said some of the drivers and passengers of the vehicles were injured and rushed to the nearest hospital.
Among the injured is an 8-year-old, based on reports by local police.
In a report by national media, the bridge collapsed after a dump truck carrying a load of boulders/ stones traversed it on Thursday night.
The driver of the dump truck allegedly fled from the scene on Thursday night, but eventually surrendered to police on the following day.
The truck driver bared that a guard at the bridge allegedly allowed his heavy vehicle to pass, cops told local media on Friday morning.
Thousands of netizens from the locality, who previously celebrated the iconic design and colorful lighting of the bridge are enraged, citing cries for answers, and corruption conspiracies given the hefty funds allocated for the construction. (TNF)
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