Senate urged to investigate falling bridges

Senate Minority Floor Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has filed a proposed Senate resolution seeking an investigation into the incidents of collapsing bridges in various parts of the country.

Pimentel proposed Senate Resolution No. 1319 in light of the recent collapse of a portion of the newly-built Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela after a dump truck passed over it.  The incident left six individuals injured. 

“The number of incidents of bridges collapsing across the country has reached an alarming level," Pimentel's resolution read.

"These have resulted in fatalities, injuries, and significant economic losses, raising urgent concerns over deficiencies in engineering and design, use of substandard materials, lack of proper oversight, and possible corruption in infrastructure projects,” it added.

The other incidents that the senator cited involve the Magapi Bridge in Balete, Batangas; the Bantilan Bridge between Batangas and Quezon Province; Carlos Romulo Bridge in Bayambang, Pangasinan; Borja Bridge and Loay-Clarin Bridge in Bohol, among others. 

“Billions of pesos are spent and years are wasted building these bridges, only for them to collapse in an instant, endangering lives and squandering public funds. Bridges must be built to withstand the calamities and heavy use, yet their repeated collapses raise concerns,” the resolution said. 

Pimentel is proposing that an appropriate Senate committee conduct an inquiry “to seek accountability from all responsible public officials, contractors, and other parties involved, and to assess the adequacy of current infrastructure policies, and recommend measures to ensure the safety and reliability of bridge structures nationwide.” 

The Department of Public Works and Highways has already launched an investigation into the Isabela bridge which is worth  P1,225,537,087.92. Its construction began in November 2014 and was completed a little over a year ago on February 1, 2024. –NB, GMA Integrated News