What Caused the Collapse of the Newly Built Bridge in Isabela?
Many factors were at play.
(SPOT.ph) News about the collapse of the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela points to an overloaded truck as the cause, but how did a bridge that was a decade in the making break down so easily?
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan explained that the newly opened bridge was designed to accommodate only light vehicles with a weight limit of 44 tons. Although he suspects this wasn’t the first time trucks of similar weight crossed the bridge, he noted that clear signages are in place.
“Ito ‘yung preliminary assessment namin: ‘yung segment na ‘yan was overstressed 200%. Meron namang signages doon sa magkabilang dulo ng tulay na trucks are not allowed for now kasi ‘yung mga ginagawang additional works ay hindi pa nate-test,” Bonoan told TeleRadyo Serbisyo. “Kahit na pinapadaan na ‘yung light vehicle, gagawin pa sana namin ‘yung load confirmatory test. Unfortunately, may dumaan na na mga trucks.”
According to DPWH Region 2, the collapse happened around 8 p.m. on February 27 when three trucks with boulders exceeding 100 tons tried to cross. After the second truck passed, the bridge's hanger rods—the structural support—gave way under the weight. Six individuals, including a minor, were injured in the collapse.
The driver of the dump truck has since surrendered to the police. Cagayan Provincial Information Office reported he admitted to fleeing the scene out of fear but stated that a bridge guard allowed him to cross, as well as another truck ahead of him.
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The rise and fall of the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge
The Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge was constructed by R.D. Interior Junior Construction, the local consulting firm behind Sulvec Earthfill Dam in Ilocos Norte and Parang East Diversion Road in Maguindanao. Construction for the bridge began in 2014, with retrofitting for earthquake resistance completed in 2018. It was officially opened to the public in February 2025.
In a site visit on March 6, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. revealed that the original budget for the infrastructure was supposed to be P1.8 billion, but it was reduced to under P1 billion to save costs.
“Binawasan para makamura,” Marcos told reporters. He also pointed out that unlike typical suspension bridges that rely on cables for support, this one did not, which ultimately led to its failure. “The whole construction process is okay naman. The contractor followed the plan by the book. ‘Yun lang, the specifications were wrong, so this is a design problem.”
DPWH said the bridge was designed by private consortium United Technologies Consolidated Partnership (UTCP) and engineer Albert Cañete, as reported by GMA News. SPOT.ph reached out to UTCP for a statement, but a representative said they could not comment yet, as they have not been able to contact Cañete and have yet to receive a letter from the DPWH regarding the matter.
However, Cañete spoke to News 5 on March 7 to say that a complete forensic engineering investigation must be conducted first before any statements should be given: “Hindi dapat nagbibigay ng statement hanggat walang kumpletong forensic engineering investigation.”
He confirmed he was the original designer of the bridge in 2012, using the 1997 Bridge Code for his design, but the DPWH came out with a new code in 2015. After the eight arches of the bridge were completed, the remaining four arches should then be designed according to the new code—which made it necessary for the eight finished ones to be retrofitted, according to Cañete's explanation. At this point, he was no longer assigned to handle the changes.
Cañete said he’s been designing bridges since the 1980s. Over the years, he observed, the presence of overloaded trucks has become a real problem in the country and for its bridges.
“Pabigat nang pabigat ang mga truck nation. Ang design kasi natin nakasunod sa American code eh, eh sa Amerika walang overloading. Dito matindi masyado yung problema natin sa overloading and naiwan na yung mga design codes na ginagamit natin sa pag- design ng tulay.”
Secretary Bonoan has previously stated that the DPWH is currently working with a third-party expert to investigate the collapse and evaluate the materials used in the construction.
“Hindi lamang ang nakaraang administration ang puwedeng panagutin dito. Lahat hanggang sa ngayon na maaaring may liability dito kung mayroon man ay dapat managot,,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a press briefing on March 5.
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UPDATED (March 9, 2025): This article has been updated to include Albert Cañete's response to the allegations.