Malacañang calls for probe into Isabela bridge collapse

Malacañang called for a deeper investigation into the collapse of the newly retrofitted Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela province, with initial findings suggesting it may have been underdesigned to handle heavy vehicles.

Palace Press Officer and PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro noted during a press briefing that based on preliminary investigations, the bridge was designed for light vehicles only, raising questions about its capacity for heavy trucks like the one involved in the collapse.

Castro emphasized that 90 percent of the construction took place during former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration and indicated that an underdesign could have contributed to the collapse.

The government is now looking into the possibility of underdesigning as the cause of the bridge’s fall, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) conducting an intensive investigation.

A dump truck carrying 102 tons of boulders caused the 60-meter third span to collapse on February 27, resulting in injuries to six people, including a child.

The construction project started in November 2014 and was completed on February 1, 2025, with a total cost of PHP1.22 billion.

Those individuals from the previous administration to present could also be held liable alongside truck owners if found responsible for the collapse.