During a press conference held by the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, Senatorial candidate Panfilo Lacson expressed deep concern over the collapse of a portion of the newly constructed Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela, questioning the integrity of its construction and calling for accountability from those responsible.

Lacson emphasized that such infrastructure failures should not occur, particularly when projects are expected to meet rigorous safety standards.

"A bridge collapsed in Isabela. Why would it collapse? When it was built, locals said it was never really used by trucks. What is the purpose of a bridge if trucks can't pass through it? Maybe the materials were substandard. Until someone is held accountable and jailed, this won't stop."

The former senator warned that this was not an isolated case.

"This is not the first time, and this won't be the last. I hope that not many people get hurt or die because of the negligence of those accountable and responsible for these kinds of infrastructure projects."

Delayed for a decade

First proposed in 2014, the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge was envisioned as a replacement for an aging overflow bridge that frequently became impassable during floods. Initially budgeted at P639.6 million, the project aimed to provide a safer and more efficient crossing for residents and businesses. However, by 2018, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) revised the cost estimate to P1.64 billion, citing additional structural requirements.

Not the first time

The bridge’s final retrofitting and strengthening were awarded in May 2023 to R.D. Interior Junior Construction, owned by Ricardo Diaz Jr., under a P274.8 million contract. However, this company has a history of questionable dealings.

Previously, R.D. Interior Junior Construction was linked to a P333-million irrigation project scandal, where an initial P304-million contract was reassigned to them at a higher cost. Despite the price hike, the project remained unfinished, prompting Senator Raffy Tulfo to question why the firm continued to receive government contracts despite its poor track record.

With the collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge, R.D. Interior Junior Construction is once again under scrutiny.

Who should be accountable?

The frequent turnover of DPWH Regional Directors during the bridge’s construction may have contributed to lapses in oversight and quality control. Currently, under OIC Regional Director Mathias Malenab, DPWH Regional Office No. II has initiated an investigation into the collapse. Experts from the Bureau of Design and Bureau of Construction have been deployed to assess structural failures. While initial findings suggest that a 102-ton truck exceeded the bridge’s weight limit, concerns persist over whether substandard materials, construction defects, or inadequate inspections also played a role.

A costly failure and an embarrassment

After over P1.2 billion spent and a decade of construction, the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge collapsed less than a month after completion. The incident has reignited concerns over the integrity of public infrastructure projects and the accountability of both contractors and government agencies.

Panfilo Lacson underscored the need for stricter oversight and proper consultation between implementing agencies and local government units.

“Kailangan may consultation sa mga local government units, lalo na sa mga implementing agencies (There needs to be consultation with local government units, especially with the implementing agencies),” he emphasized.

The collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge serves as a stark warning of the urgent need for greater transparency, heightened accountability, and stricter standards in the execution of government-funded projects.