Senate probes collapse of P1.22 billion Isabela bridge

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate will conduct an inquiry into the collapse of the newly opened Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela last month.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano was authorized by his sister, Senate Blue Ribbon committee chair Pia Cayetano, to lead a subcommittee investigation today on the collapse of the 990-meter bridge, which left six people injured.

“The DPWH should be up in arms about this and seek accountability,” Cayetano said, referring to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Safe and resilient infrastructure is essential to the transformation of the nation. The Blue Ribbon needs to look into how the DPWH deals with errant contractors to ensure that the country and the people are protected against fraudulent and abusive contractors,” he added.

Cayetano said the probe would focus on the possible corruption in DPWH projects, which may have contributed to the poor construction of the bridge.

He lamented that contractors of infrastructure and projects that later turn out to be faulty and substandard are not penalized or banned.

Cayetano urged the government not to tolerate private contractors who bag major projects but deliver defective or deficient products or services.

The collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge raised questions about the competence of the DPWH and private contractors in delivering safe and graft-free projects, he said.