‘Sta. Maria – Cabagan bridge not tainted with corruption, truck company may face charges’ - DPWH

Isabela, Philippines – In contrast to the public’s speculations, the Department of Public Works and Highways asserted there is no corruption involved in the construction of the P1.2-billion Santa Maria – Cabagan bridge in Isabela.

The DPWH along with engineers and contractors of said bridge were put under fire after a part of the 990-meter infrastructure collapsed on February 27 after a dump truck ferrying a supposed 102 tons of boulders passed through it.

The driver is a resident of Tabuk City and the boulders which was being ferried to a construction project in Northern Isabela came from Kalinga. Said driver turned himself in to the Cabagan police on February 28.

Following the incident, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, as quoted by the national media on Tuesday evening, relayed that no traces of corruption happened in the construction of the bridge nor there was a structural defect which caused it to give in when the truck passed through it.

“I was assured by the regional offices and yung mga engineers, that this was implemented in accordance with design specifications, and actually it was done properly naman. Wala namang tainted of corruptions and anomalies that have been reported,” he was quoted saying.

Among the angles being considered by the DPWH is the possibility of overloading as the bridge could only accommodate 44 tons, which is way beyond the ‘102’ tons weight of the truck.

The DPWH, meantime, is reported to be studying possible charges to be filed against the truck company.

The design of the P1.2-billion bridge was said to be different from typical suspension bridges as it relied on solid steel beams for support instead of steel cables. The design was approved in 2014, while the bridge was retrofitted in 2018 and 2022. It was opened to light vehicles only in February 2025 before its collapse.