A Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) special committee has launched an investigation into the collapse of a section of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela, with initial findings revealing nearly a thousand defects in the structure.

While only a portion of the bridge collapsed, all 12 spans reportedly had structural issues.

The defects, including faulty bolts and cracks in slabs and arches, were reported to the DPWH from 2018 to 2023. The bridge, constructed in 2014, had been showing signs of deterioration for years.

“Sunod-sunod eh na sinasabing nilalagnat na itong bridge na ito eh,” Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said during a Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee hearing.

He questioned whether substandard materials, such as the steel used in the broken arch, contributed to the collapse.

“Dito po makinis, at hindi umiba yung size… usually po, ang ibig sabihin niyan, substandard yung bakal na ginamit,” Cayetano said.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan admitted that problems may have existed from the start.

“It looks like from day one there is already a problem,” he said.

Engineer Alberto Canete, who designed the bridge, said the structure was built according to the 1997 Building Code, which was the latest guideline at the time.

He said all reported defects were already addressed in a 2023 retrofitting effort. He blamed overloading for the collapse.

“I’m very confident na kapag finorensic investigation ito, overloading kasi yung axle load, yung axle na katapat nung hanger is already four times na ginagamit sa design namin, so no way na mag-survive yung ano namin,” Canete said.

The DPWH is now determining whether the bridge should be condemned or reconstructed.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has ordered its reconstruction, but officials warn the process could take time if further damage is found.

“What we need to find out is if the collapsed section compromised the other spans,” Bonoan said.

“Kasi nakita namin na there are, in the other spans, meron na ring signs na some of the cables are actually nag-loosen, hindi lang dun sa bumagsak,” he added.

A portion of the bridge collapsed evening on February 27, 2025. Six persons, including a child, were brought to the hospital for treatment.