Manila: Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday filed a resolution seeking a Senate investigation into the condition of bridges nationwide following the collapse of the 50-year-old Piggatan Bridge in Alcala, Cagayan, which disrupted transport and trade in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, in Senate Resolution No. 153, Estrada urged the appropriate committee to conduct a comprehensive inquiry, in the exercise of the Senate's oversight functions, to assess the structural integrity, inspection procedures, and maintenance systems of bridges across the country to prevent similar incidents and protect public safety.
'Hihintayin pa ba natin na may bumagsak na naman na tulay bago tayo kumilos? We must act swiftly to identify vulnerable structures, especially in agricultural regions. Hindi lang kalsada ang napuputol tuwing may ganitong insidente ng pagbagsak ng tulay - apektado rin ang transportasyon, kaligtasan, at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan (Do we have to wait for another bridge to collapse before we act? Not only are roads cut off in such incidents - transport, safety, and livelihoods are also affected)," Estrada said.
The Piggatan Bridge, a 74.7-meter steel structure built in 1974, collapsed on Oct. 5 after reportedly being weighed down by three heavily loaded trucks carrying palay and corn. The Department of Public Works and Highways had rated the bridge in 'good overall condition' last year.
Seven people were injured in the incident, which also paralyzed access to Alcala and forced trucks carrying agricultural produce to take longer and more expensive routes.
The collapse came just months after the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in nearby Isabela province gave way shortly after it opened.
Estrada said the back-to-back bridge failures highlight the urgent need to review and upgrade the country's infrastructure standards, particularly in agricultural regions like Cagayan Valley, where bridges serve as vital arteries for the transport of goods.
In his resolution, Estrada emphasized that the government must ensure that public infrastructure 'meets the demands of public use, prioritizing safety, efficiency, and economic necessity.'
He added that outdated or poorly maintained bridges pose risks not only to motorists but also to farmers and traders whose livelihoods depend on uninterrupted road networks.
