ISABELA –A portion of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge, a key infrastructure project under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s Build Build Build program, collapsed on Wednesday night despite undergoing retrofitting to address earlier structural concerns.
The bridge, inaugurated and opened to the public in 2023, had been undergoing repairs after stability issues were detected shortly after its completion. The collapse involved four vehicles, including a dump truck carrying rocks, and left six people injured, including two children. The victims were immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.
Authorities from the Municipal Engineering Department of LGU Cabagan and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse. Initial findings suggest structural defects, inadequate retrofitting, or overloading may have contributed to the incident.
The bridge, which connects Cabagan and Santa Maria, was completed on February 1, 2025, after construction began in November 2014. The P1.225-billion structure spanned 990 meters with 12 arch sections and nine pre-stressed concrete girder spans. It was built by R.D. Interior, Jr. Construction.
The collapse has reignited concerns over the quality and safety of infrastructure projects under the Build Build Build initiative. Critics are calling for stricter oversight and accountability in public construction projects to prevent similar disasters.
Local officials have advised motorists to avoid the area while engineers assess the remaining structure.
