Marcos blames budget cuts for bridge collapse; designer disputes claims

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. initially blamed a "design flaw" and budget cuts from previous administrations for the collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela.

He claimed the original P1.8 billion budget was reduced to less than P1 billion, leading to a weak design, and that retrofitting increased the cost to P1.2 billion.

The bridge, completed on February 1, 2025, collapsed 26 days later after three dump trucks carrying approximately 102 tons of boulders attempted to cross it, exceeding the 44-ton limit.

Marcos also cited a "moving and weak" portion observed during construction and the original plan for a suspension bridge without cables as contributing factors, along with overloaded trucks.

However, the engineer who designed the bridge, Albert Cañete, has defended the design, stating it complied with DPWH guidelines and a minimum load limit of 27 tons per truck.

Cañete indicated the bridge was designed to accommodate up to 54 tons, equivalent to two 27-ton trucks, and suggested that statements should be based on a forensic engineering investigation.

Six persons were injured in the incident, and accountability will be pursued, with the President emphasizing the need for stricter monitoring of vehicle loads on bridges.