Cayetano Leads Senate Probe into Isabela Bridge Collapse, Questions DPWH Accountability

by: Edjun Mariposque

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March 13, 2025

3–4 minutes

Laguna – Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has called for a Senate inquiry into the sudden collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela, with a hearing scheduled for Friday, March 14, 2025.

In Senate Resolution No. 1322, Cayetano urged the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to investigate the incident, which occurred less than a month after the bridge’s inauguration in February. The probe aims to determine potential accountability within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and its contractors.

On March 11, Blue Ribbon Committee chair Senator Pia Cayetano appointed Senator Alan as the subcommittee chair for a motu proprio inquiry. Even before his official designation, Cayetano had been closely monitoring the incident.

“I really think it’s a terrible thing [to happen]. I think it should really not happen… DPWH should be up in arms, and accountability must be ensured,” he said.

Cayetano emphasized the importance of safe and resilient infrastructure, warning that substandard public works projects erode public trust. He questioned how DPWH handles errant contractors and called for stricter measures against fraudulent and negligent firms.

The P1.22-billion Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge collapsed on February 27 after a dump truck carrying quarried stones exceeded the 45-ton weight limit. The accident injured six people and damaged four vehicles. Authorities are still investigating the cause, with possible factors including overloading, design flaws, and construction defects.

Cayetano stressed that the issue is not isolated, noting the recurring collapse of public works projects. “Every now and then, there are major infrastructure failures, yet I don’t hear of contractors being banned, blacklisted, or held accountable,” he said.

The Senate inquiry may extend to other problematic DPWH projects to address systemic corruption concerns. The Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearing is set for 12 noon on March 14.

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