ISABELA — Authorities have begun assessing the damage after the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela province collapsed on the evening of February 27, injuring six people.

The bridge gave way under the weight of a passing 10-wheeler truck while still under construction. The injured individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. The bridge had recently undergone retrofitting and was not yet open to heavy vehicles. Authorities stated that only smaller vehicles were allowed to pass when the incident occurred.

The bridge, a key infrastructure project under the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build program, was constructed as an alternative to the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Overflow Bridge, which becomes unusable during floods. It consists of 12 arch bridge spans and nine spans of pre-stressed concrete girders, constructed by R.D. Interior Jr. Construction at a cost of ₱1.225 billion. According to the DPWH, construction began in November 2014 and was completed on February 1, 2025, with a total cost of ₱1,225,537,087.92, including the bridge and its approaches.

The bridge spans a total length of 990 meters, comprising 12 arch bridge sections with 60-meter spans and nine spans of Pre-Stressed Concrete Girder (PSCG) Type IVB, while the approaches extend 664.10 linear meters. Initial retrofitting work was carried out in March 2023 to enhance its resilience against seismic activity and ensure compliance with updated design codes. However, the excessive weight of a dump truck is believed to have played a critical role in the collapse.

Following the collapse, supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte circulated an image blaming the current Marcos administration, claiming the project began in 2023 with a ₱274 million budget. However, records show that this amount was allocated solely for retrofitting and strengthening the bridge, which was originally built during the Duterte administration.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse.

📷 Cabagan MDRRMO