Daven Tamayo

Special committee formed by DPWH to probe collapsed Isabela bridge

Article (news)

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- The result of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ probe into the collapsed portion of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria bridge in Isabela will be out next month. </p><p>Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan formed a special committee tasked to investigate the incident. </p><p>“The [report’s] due date should be April 25. So, we will just check what will be the update, at the latest would be April 25. </p><p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. together with DPWH and local officials inspected the bridge on March 6, where the president claimed that it collapsed because of “design flaw.” </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/6/-marcos-blames-design-flaw-for-isabela-bridge-collapse-1158">READ: Marcos blames &#x27;design flaw&#x27; for Isabela bridge collapse</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/2/28/dpwh-promises-accountability-transparency-on-collapsed-isabela-bridge-1954">READ: DPWH promises accountability, transparency on collapsed Isabela bridge</a></div><p>Castro also responded as to why no one has been placed under preventive suspension while the probe is ongoing. </p><p>“Siguro po kung mayroon po dapat na bigyan, patawan ng preventive suspension kaya sa ngayon po ay nagkakaroon tayo ng pag-iimbestiga, mahirap naman pong pabigla-bigla tayong magkaroon ng order of preventive suspension kung ang mga tao na involved ay wala naman sa gobyerno, hindi po siya magiging subject of preventive suspension,” she said. </p><p>The Palace official also explained why Bonoan as the agency’s head was not preventively suspended. </p><p>“Kung hindi pa po natin nakikita na siya po iyong pinaka-involve, hindi po natin siya mapapatawan ng preventive suspension. Titingnan po natin. Hindi naman po natin ito, katulad ng ating sinabi, kung sino iyong dapat managot ay mananagot,” Castro noted.</p>

<p>The result of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ probe into the collapsed portion of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria bridge in Isabela will be out next month.</p>

The result of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ probe into the collapsed portion of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria bridge in Isabela will be out next month.