Isabela: The government will construct a new bridge in Isabela province, following the collapse of Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed on Thursday. Marcos made the commitment after inspecting the collapsed bridge, saying the old design was 'poor' and 'really weak.'

According to Philippines News Agency, the original budget for the construction of the bridge was PHP900 million but rose to PHP1.2 billion because of retrofitting. Marcos described the design flaw as the root cause of the collapse. The project cost was initially intended to be PHP1.8 billion but was reduced to under PHP1 billion in an attempt to cut costs. Marcos emphasized that the design's weakness necessitates building a new bridge.

Marcos stated that the focus should be on resolving the issue rather than assigning blame. He mentioned that accountability would eventually be determined, specifically highlighting those responsible for the design and the inappropriate use of the bridge by heavy trucks. The bridge, spanning 990 meters with 12 arches and nine spans of pre-stressed concrete girders, was designed for light vehicles and served as a crucial route linking various regions.

The bridge's construction began in November 2014 and was completed on February 1, 2025, at a total cost of PHP1.22 billion. R.D. Interior, Jr. Construction was the contractor, and Marcos noted that the construction adhered to specifications, though the design specifications themselves were flawed. He pointed out that the bridge's suspension design was unconventional, lacking cable supports, which contributed to its collapse.

Marcos criticized the anchoring of the support, which was positioned at the bottom rather than extending to the top, further highlighting the design's inadequacies.