Lawmakers seek probe into Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge collapse

Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc have filed a resolution seeking a congressional investigation into the collapse of the P1.22 billion Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela.

The lawmakers aim to check for possible corruption, use of substandard materials, and negligence in daily operations, going beyond individual accountability to examine the entire procurement and construction process.

The bridge collapsed on February 27 when a dump truck carrying quarried stones weighing 102 tons, almost double its maximum capacity of 45 tons, attempted to cross it, injuring at least six people.

House Resolution 2249 proposes a probe to identify responsible parties and determine whether corruption and negligence played a role in the incident.

Lawmakers argue that the collapse is part of a broader pattern of public infrastructure issues due to systemic problems like corruption and lack of oversight; they urge reviewing government policies, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and ensuring that public funds are not wasted on substandard projects endangering lives.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the site, and his administration announced its own separate investigation into the collapse.