P1.2B Cabagan-Santa Maria bridge temporarily reopened due to impassable alternate routes

Isabela Philippines - The Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge was temporarily reopened through a community-led effort, providing relief to commuters affected by impassable alternate routes due to flooding and poor road conditions.

The reopening of the bridge was decided upon to ease travel difficulties faced particularly by students and workers when the overflow bridge was submerged following heavy rains. This allowed people particularly those on foot to cross the other side of the river.

To recall, the 990-meter bridge collapsed after it was crossed by a dump truck, estimated to be carrying 102 tons of boulders, injuring six individuals—five of which sustained minor injuries while the other one got seriously wounded. All were rushed to nearby medical facilities.

The infamous bridge sparked public uproar with claims including structural defect and corruption, pointing blames on the engineers and contractors, even the driver of the dump truck, among others.

Contrary to public speculation, any corruption in the construction of the P1.2B Santa Maria–Cabagan Bridge in Isabela was denied by the DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, considering the possibility of overloading as the bridge was designed to carry only 44 tons which is way beyond the ‘102’ tons weight of the truck.

President Ferdinand Marcos also addressed the issue through a personal inspection on March 6, 2025, where he noted before the media that the bridge was meant to be a suspension bridge, yet no cables were used.

Recently, talks on accountability on the fall of bridge resurfaced after Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada questioned why the DPWH targeted only the driver and others involved in the bridge collapse, but not its own officials, during his privilege speech in the 4th SONA on August 4.

Amid rising calls for accountability, the temporary bridge opening has been welcomed by residents, passers, and travelers alike.

The Cabagan Police Station, meantime, strongly discouraged the public to use the Cabagan-Sta. Maria bridge as this could compromise their safety. The authorities have already put barricade on the collapsed part of the bridge to keep people from crossing it to go to the other side.