Dump truck driver who triggered P1.2B Isabela bridge collapse to face civil and criminal charges

Tabuk City, Kalinga – A dump truck driver from Tabuk City was supposed to just bring boulders to a construction site earlier this year, but things got out of hand when he passed through the P1.2 billion-worth Sta. Maria - Cabagan bridge in Isabela, which led him to his predicaments now – civil and criminal charges are awaiting.

Said dump truck driver on the way to Northern Isabela on February 27, 2025, attempted to cross the Sta. Maria – Cabagan bridge, the superstructure was constructed for a long time with P1.225 billion funding. Halfway through, a section of the bridge collapsed, bringing the truck and other vehicles to the ground.

It was initially stated by the DPWH that the truck was ferrying approximately ‘102 tons’ of boulders.

The driver, on February 28, turned himself in to the Cabagan police.

In his interview with GMA News aired on July 31, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan revealed that their technical investigations on the collapse of the bridge were completed. He added that their recommendations include filing cases against people they believed were responsible for the fall of the superstructure.

“Ang recommendations namin already is to file actually yung mga civil cases against the yung mga … what we know na medyo may kulang sa paggagawa. Let’s say sa contractor or sa designer and of course yung truck na nakasira,” he said.

It was reported that civil and criminal charges are set to be filed against the dump truck driver this week.