Collapsed Piggatan Bridge in Cagayan last retrofitted in 2016 - DPWH

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Wednesday that aside from overloaded trucks, there could be other factors that led to the collapse of Piggatan Bridge in the town of Alcala, Cagayan. 

According to the report of GMA Regional TV’s Jasmin Gabriel-Galban in “24 Oras”, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon noted that the bridge was already rusting and the only time it was retrofitted was in 2016. 

“Since 1980, nung natayo siya, and unang retrofit ay nung 2016 lang, sinabi sa akin ni RD.  Nakita ko yung budget nung 2016, P11.7 million lang, ang liit lang,” said Dizon. 

(Since it was built in 1980, the first retrofitting was only done in 2016, the regional director told me. I saw the budget in 2016 and it was only P11.7 million, which is very small.)

Dizon, accompanied by DPWH Regional Director Mathias Malenab, assessed the extent of the damage to the decades-old bridge, which gave way under the combined weight of the trucks — each estimated at around 50 tons, far exceeding the bridge’s 18-ton capacity. At least seven people were injured in the incident.

For his part, Cagayan Governor Edgar Aglipay apologized for overlooking the bridge’s condition. 

“Responsibilidad ko sana nakita ko ‘yan na kailangan na ng repair,” he said. 

(It’s my responsibility because I did not realize that it must be repaired already.) 

The bridge collapsed on Monday afternoon after three loaded trucks, each with an estimated weight of 50 tons, attempted to cross the bridge at the same time, far exceeding the 18-ton capacity of the 45-year-old bridge. 

Meanwhile, the local government of Alcala also agreed that overloading should not be solely blamed for the incident. 

“Hindi lang ito simpleng kaso ng overloading na we will shift all the blame doon sa dumaan na trucks at mga owners ng trucks. Considering na unang-una, itong bridge na ito ay nasa Maharlika National Highway, which is the main highway,” said Alcala Mayor Cristina Antonio.

(This is not just a simple case of overloading and just shift the blame to the trucks and their owners. Considering that, first and foremost, this bridge is on the Maharlika National Highway, which is the main highway.) 

“Kung hindi dito sa bridge na ito at saka sa daanan ng Maharlika Highway, saan dadaan?” she added. 

(If not through this bridge and the Maharlika Highway route, where will people pass?) 

The DPWH said a detour bridge, with a 40-ton capacity, will be constructed beside the collapsed bridge. The construction of the alternate bridge will begin on Thursday and is expected to be finished in two months, the report said. 

“Overloaded sila ‘di ba? So titignan natin lahat, hindi lang isa ang may kasalanan dito. Maraming may kasalanan dito. Pero again, uunahin natin ang solusyon,” said Dizon. 

(They were overloaded, right? So we will look at everything. It was not only one person who was at fault here. Many are to blame here. But again, we will prioritize the solution first.) 

Authorities are also monitoring four other old bridges in Cagayan. The DPWH is also planning to put up detour bridges beside them, the report also said. —Vince Angelo Ferreras and Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News