Malacañang vowed to hold accountable anyone found responsible for the collapse of a bridge in Isabela province, whether from past administrations or present officials, as the government launches a deeper investigation into the incident.
The bridge, which was reportedly completed during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, will be further examined to determine potential liabilities, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
“As they say, it’s not just the past administration that can be held accountable here—everyone, up to now, whoever may have liability here if there is any, they should all be held accountable,” Castro said in a Palace briefing Wednesday.
“This investigation will be thorough, and any lapses in planning, construction, or oversight will be addressed accordingly,” she added.
In an interview with ABS-CBN, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said an initial probe showed that the bridge had been “overstressed” by the passage of a convoy of heavy trucks.
He said that signages on the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela had reminded motorists that only light vehicles could pass. But on February 27, trucks with boulders weighing about 100 tons went over the bridge that is designed to only carry around 44 tons,
“Tatlo yata yung loaded truck na dumaan. Yung isa nakalampas, pero sunod-sunod kasi, yung pangalawa yun ang bumigay na ang segment na ‘yan,” he said.
“Ito yung preliminary assessment namin: yung segment na ‘yan was overstressed 200 percent,” the official added.
Castro said officials are considering whether the owners of the dump trucks that crossed the bridge should be held accountable.
She emphasized that responsibility for the incident will not be limited to any single administration or agency.
“The investigation so far shows that the bridge was under-designed and not intended for heavy vehicles,” Castro said.
“It also appears that time and natural factors, such as earthquakes, contributed to its deterioration,” she said.
Authorities will focus on whether the bridge was built according to safety standards and if any lapses in maintenance contributed to its failure, Castro added.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Lapses acknowledged as Isabela bridge collapse probe deepens.”