Cayetano: Bridge collapse due to defects ignored

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano revealed during a Senate hearing on Wednesday that all 12 segments of the collapsed Cabagan-Santa Maria bridge in Isabela had defects based on DPWH reports from 2018 to 2020.

The issues included cracks, snapped bolts, and deformed steel cross supports, with Cayetano noting that field engineers had identified problems but higher-ups ignored them.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan acknowledged the numerous reported fails but stated they were addressed during retrofitting and a private consulting firm was hired to study the bridge's condition.

Bonoan clarified that the bridge was still under the contractor’s custody when it collapsed, and a special committee has been formed for forensic investigation with a report due by April 25.

Engineer Alberto Cañete admitted his design was outdated and recommended redesigning the bridge, suggesting overloading as a possible reason for its collapse.

Cayetano warned of potential corruption and a cover-up, emphasizing that there is evidence to show it wasn't an accident.