By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has formed a special committee to investigate the collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela late last month.
In Special Order No. 35, series of 2025 dated March 17 and made public Wednesday, DPWH Secretary Manual Bonoan said the committee would be headed by Undersecretary Anne Sharlyne Lapuz and Undersecretary Eric Ayapana, as chairperson and co-chairperson, respectively.
Named members of the committee are Assistant Secretary Michael Villafranca, Director Alex Bote of the Planning Service, and Director Gliricidia Tumaliuan-Ali of the Legal Service.
“To ensure an impartial investigation with the aim of determining the material and attendant circumstances surrounding the subject incident, the Committee is hereby empowered to (a) gather, collate and consolidate all pieces of evidence, (b) compel the attendance of DPWH employees knowledgeable of any circumstance in relation to the Bridge, (c) constitute a Composite Team, Technical Working Group and Secretariat to assist the Committee; (d) authorize the TWG to conduct interviews and/or ocular inspections with corresponding reports thereon, and (e) all other powers in connection and necessary to attain the purposes of this Order,” it added.
The committee was also ordered to prepare an investigation plan with a corresponding timeline to be presented to the Office of the Secretary within three days from the issuance of the directive.
“Finally, the Committee is hereby directed to submit its findings/report and recommendations to the Office of the Secretary on or before April 25, 2025,” the order said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his visit to Isabela on March 5, said the portion of the bridge may have collapsed due to design flaws.
On the evening of Feb. 27, the third span from the Cabagan side of the bridge collapsed after a dump truck loaded with boulders passed. (PNA)
