The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) vowed to build a detour bridge beside the collapsed Piggadan Bridge in Alcala, Cagayan, as officials admitted lapses in its maintenance.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon inspected the site on October 8 and noted that the 45-year-old bridge had rusted joints and had only undergone retrofitting once since its construction in 1980.

“Makikita ninyo ‘yung dugtungan, kinalawang na. Ibig sabihin talagang luma na ‘yung tulay,” Dizon said.

He said there were failures in maintenance.

“Obvious na may lapses talaga dito. Kung ang retrofit ay 2016 pa, talagang may lapses,” he added.

Cagayan Governor Edgar Aglipay also acknowledged shortcomings.

“Bilang governor ng Cagayan, responsibilidad ko na sana nakita ko ‘yan na dapat i-repair na,” Aglipay said.

Alcala Mayor Cristina Antonio pointed out that blame should not rest solely on truck drivers who crossed the bridge before it collapsed.

“Hindi lang ito issue o kaso ng overloading at hindi pwedeng i-shift ang sisi sa mga drivers considering na itong bridge na ito ay nasa Maharlika Highway, which is saan sila dadaan?” Antonio said.

While Dizon said violations were committed, he stressed that immediate solutions take priority over filing cases.

“Definitely may violation sila, pero as of now ang sabi ng Pangulo, ‘yun munang dapat gawin ay ang solution dito,” he said.

Construction of the detour bridge is set to begin immediately and is expected to finish within two months. DPWH also announced plans to monitor four other aging bridges in Cagayan and implement traffic plans to regulate heavy vehicles.

Dizon said discussions with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) are underway to explore using barges from Port Irene to ship rice and corn to Central Luzon.