Senate President Francis Escudero called for a comprehensive review of anti-overloading laws and policies following the collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela province, which was reportedly caused by an overloaded truck.
“I am certain that this is not an isolated incident, and a lot of overloaded trucks are able to go about their business without being flagged,” he said.
“We must find out how the truck that reportedly weighed 102 tons was able to get on the bridge that has a 45-ton maximum capacity,” the senate chief added.
Escudero emphasized the need for a parallel review to assess whether current policies remain effective or if enforcement lapses contributed to the incident.
Currently, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is conducting an investigation into the collapse of the multibillion-peso bridge.
The truck involved in the collapse reportedly weighed more than double the bridge’s limit.
Republic Act 8794, or the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC) Act of 2000, imposes a penalty for overloading, equivalent to 25 percent of the MVUC on trucks and trailers.
The law also sets an axle load limit of 13,500 kilograms to prevent excessive wear and tear on roads and bridges.
“What is the weight capacity or load limit of the roads and bridges we’re building? Are these limits being followed? Are they being enforced?” Escudero said.
In 2013, the DPWH revised the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations, mandating the installation of weighbridge stations or portable weighing machines along national roads.
The regulations also allow the DPWH to contract private companies to operate these weighbridge stations, ensuring 24-hour monitoring, including weekends and holidays.
Escudero raised concerns that trucks may unload or reload cargo after passing weigh stations, altering their weight before crossing bridges.
Land Transportation Office (LTO) data from January to September 2023 shows nearly 400,000 trucks and 55,802 trailers were registered.
During the same period, 16,020 overloading violations were recorded, resulting in P32,012,810 in fines.
Escudero proposed banning truck bed reinforcements, arguing that visual inspections could easily detect these modifications, which often signal overloading.
He stressed that truck owners should face penalties if illegal reinforcements are found.
“We have to put a stop to these recurring expenses that could easily be avoided,” he said.
“Once we start deliberations on the proposed 2026 spending plan of the DPWH and the DOTr (Department of Transportation) later this year, we will require an accounting of the expenses incurred as a result of infrastructure damaged due to overloading and the effectiveness of the policies and programs to prevent overloading,” he assured.