DPWH looks into Isabela bridge’s design as possible cause for collapse

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has yet to identify the reason for the collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela, but authorities are also looking into the stability of the bridge’s design.

According to Joseph Morong’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the DPWH noticed that solid steel beams were used to support the bridge instead of cable strands.

“This is a unique design..First of its kind dito,” said DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.

“Yung cables kasi nito are solid steel hindi strand, hindi cable strand. When you do this kind of structure, dapat cable strands ang ginagamit dito kasi may tensile stress ito,” he added.

(The cables used are solid steel and not cable strands. When you do this kind of structure, you should be using cable strands because they are capable to endure tensile stress.)

The DPWH said the private consortium of UTCP and a certain engineer named Albert Cañete were behind the bridge’s design. GMA Integrated News has reached out to them for comment.

Former DPWH chief Rogelio Singson, who approved the project in 2014, referred GMA Integrated News to the department’s investigation.

Meanwhile, R.D. Interior Junior Construction was contracted to build the bridge.

The contract amounting to over P600 million ended in 2018, but the bridge was not immediately opened to the public due to adjustments done on the design.

The bridge had to be retrofitted again in 2022 in compliance with the updated design code by the DPWH.

The retrofitting, which cost around P300 million, was finished in 2024. The bridge was opened last February 1, but only limited to 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 DPWH said the bridge can only accommodate up to 44 tons, which is far from the weight of the truck, which was 100 tons.

The CCTV footage showed that two other trucks both carrying rocks had passed over the bridge before the collapse. 

The DPWH is also looking into the angle of overloading for reason behind the bridge’s collapse.

“Overstressed yung bridge, 200% yata,” said Bonoan.

(The bridge was overstressed.)

The department is now studying the possible cases to be filed against the truck company.

Other truck drivers in Isabela are actually aware that the bridge is only for light vehicles.

“Siyempre yung mga sobrang bigat na, dapat hindi na pinapadaan ‘yan. Kumbaga sa amin, nagbawas na kami ng timbang para hindi overload ang karga namin,” said driver Ernesto Orpilla.

(Of course, heavy vehicles should no longer traverse the bridge. For instance, we already lessened our truck’s weight to avoid overloading.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News