Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has initiated a Senate inquiry to address the alarming increase in bridge collapses throughout the country. Filing Senate Resolution No. 1319, Pimentel aims to hold accountable all responsible public officials, contractors, and other involved parties. The investigation seeks to evaluate the adequacy of current infrastructure policies to ensure the safety and reliability of bridge structures nationwide.
The senator expressed deep concern over the escalating incidents of collapsing bridges, which have resulted in fatalities, injuries, and significant economic losses. Pimentel highlighted deficiencies in engineering and design, the use of substandard materials, lack of proper oversight, and possible corruption in infrastructure projects as urgent issues that need to be addressed.
The recent collapse of the P1.2-billion Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela triggered Pimentel’s resolution. According to DPWH-Region 2, the third span from the Cabagan side collapsed after a dump truck carrying boulders, weighing approximately 102 tons, crossed the bridge. Pimentel emphasized that billions of pesos and years of construction efforts are wasted when bridges collapse, endangering lives and squandering public funds.
Expressing the need for bridges to withstand calamities and heavy use, Pimentel stated that the repeated collapses raise serious concerns. He stressed the urgency of reviewing compliance with engineering standards, design feasibility, maintenance protocols, and infrastructure budget allocations by national and local governments as well as contractors.
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. confirmed that the Committee on Public Works is prepared to hear Pimentel’s resolution, which may also be referred to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Revilla called for accountability, stating that heads must roll, including those of the contractor and DPWH personnel involved in the project. Revilla has instructed the DPWH to submit a report, which is currently awaited.