Regular inspection could've averted Pangasinan bridge collapse, says Revilla

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. expressed dismay Friday over the collapse of a part of a bridge in Bayambang, Pangasinan saying this could have been averted had the Department of Public Works and Highways conducted regular structural integrity inspection.

"Nakakadismaya ang pagbagsak ng Romulo Bridge sa Pangasinan. Nakakalungkot din ang hindi bababa sa apat nating kababayan ang nasugatan, at mas marami pa ang naapektuhan dahil sa insidenteng ito," Revilla, Senate public works committee chairman, said in a statement.

"Maaari naman sanang naiwasan ito kung ginawa lang ng DPWH ang kanilang trabaho na siguruhing laging nasa mabuting kondisyon at tibay ang mga imprastruktura para sa kaligtasan ng publiko," he added.

(I am dismayed about the collapse of Romulo Bridge in Pangasinan. It is also saddening that at least four were injured and our countrymen are affected because of this incident. This couldn't have happened if the DPWH is doing its job in ensuring that our infrastructures are still in a good condition for the safety of the public.)

A part of Carlos P. Romulo Bridge in Barangay Wawa, Bayambang town collapsed Thursday afternoon. At least two trucks were involved in the incident.

Revilla then urged the DPWH to be proactive in auditing and inspecting all existing public infrastructure to ensure their structural integrity.

"Hindi dapat na hinihintay pa ang lindol, bagyo, o iba pang sakuna bago pa kumilos para suriin ang tibay at kondisyon ng mga tulay, daan, at iba pang imprastrakturang ginagamit ng taumbayan," he said.

(We should not wait for an earthquake, a typhoon, or other disasters before conducting inspections on our bridges, roads, and other public infrastructures.)

"Failure to conduct timely inspection and retrofitting of public infrastructure puts the safety and lives of our countrymen at risk," he pointed out.

For Revilla, the recent incident in Pangasinan is a "glaring example of the injurious effects of crumbling infrastructure."

The lawmaker also said there is a recent video that circulated in social media showing a part of the flyover from 32nd Street in Bonifacio Global City to C-5 Road which was already dilapidated and "ready to collapse at any given time."

"Labis na nakakabahala. Nananawagan din tayong mabilisang maisaayos ang mga ito upang hindi mapilay ang transportasyon sa mga lugar na yan. Immediate repair and restoration should be done to avoid impeding the transport of persons, as well as the flow of goods and services," he said.

(It is very alarming. We are calling on the DPWH to fix these infrastructures so the transportation will not be affected in those areas.)

Further, Revilla said the DPWH should lead the coordination in the implementation of weight limit to make sure that national infrastructures are used properly.

He said giving importance to public infrastructures should not end at ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

"Equally important, aged infrastructure must always be retrofitted so that they remain compliant with the demands of the times and the current standards," he said.—AOL, GMA News