ISABELA – The collapsed Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela had defects in all 12 of its segments, according to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano during the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday.
Cayetano cited reports from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) between 2018 and 2020, which revealed cracks, snapped bolts, and deformed steel cross structures. He stressed that every part of the bridge had issues, yet higher officials ignored them.
“A billion-peso bridge collapsed, and we don’t seem outraged,” Cayetano remarked. He also revealed that urban engineers recorded 935 structural failures during the bridge’s evaluation, prompting the DPWH to seek an independent structural assessment.
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan clarified that the bridge had not yet been turned over to the DPWH and was still under the custody of the contractor, R.D. Interior Jr. Construction, at the time of the collapse.
A special committee was formed to conduct a forensic investigation, with findings expected by April 25.
Meanwhile, Cayetano assured the public that those responsible will be held accountable, hinting at possible corruption. “This was not an accident—it was an incident waiting to happen,” he said.
