Palace: Probe shows Isabela bridge 'underdesigned'

There will be a deeper probe as regards the collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela, according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro on Wednesday. 

At a press briefing, Castro said that based on the initial investigation, the bridge was ''underdesigned.''

"Titingnan po talaga iyong sinasabing underdesigned. Anong naging cause kung bakit hindi kakayanin iyong mga vehicles? Eh lumalabas nga po sa initial investigation, ayon sa design ay pang light vehicles lang siya—ayon po sa initial investigation," Castro replied when asked if there will be a deeper probe into the matter.

(We will determine if it's really underdesigned. What's the cause why it can't accommodate the vehicles? Based on the initial investigation, the design can only accommodate light vehicles.)

She said the bridge started in 2014 and 90% of it was constructed during the previous administration.

''Ang sabi po ay nagkaroon po ito, dahil sa mga earthquakes at kung anumang … sa tagal ng panahon, hindi na siya naging matibay at kailangang i-retrofit sa panahon po ngayon. Ang nakikita po so far ay nagkaroon ng underdesigned. Lumalabas din po sa imbestigasyon na ito po talaga ay para sa mga light vehicles ayon doon sa disenyo," Castro said.

(It was said that due to the earthquakes, there was a need to retrofit it. It seems that it was underdesigned. An initial investigation also indicated that it's only for light vehicles.)

The Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela collapsed last February 27 after a dump truck passed over it. The incident left six individuals injured.

The Department of Public Works and Highways said the bridge can only accommodate up to 44 tons, which is far from the weight of the truck, which was 100 tons. --VAL GMA Integrate News