Duterte’s Newly Built Isabela Bridge Collapses, Vehicles Plunge Into River

The Duterte-Era Infrastructure Scandal: The Collapse of the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge

The collapse of the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela on February 27 has reignited concerns over the integrity of infrastructure projects built during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. The bridge, constructed with a budget of P639 million, plunged into the river below just months after being opened for public use, sending four vehicles and several occupants into the waters below. Fortunately, emergency responders were able to secure the area and transport the injured to the hospital. However, the incident raises glaring questions about the safety, quality, and accountability of Duterte’s much-vaunted infrastructure push under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program.

A Bridge to Disaster: Defective Design and Poor Quality Control

The construction of the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge began in 2017, meant to serve as an alternative to the frequently unusable Cabagan-Santa Maria Overflow Bridge, which is often submerged during the rainy season. Originally slated for completion in 2019, the bridge faced several years of delay, allegedly due to design flaws. These concerns appear to have been validated with the bridge’s catastrophic failure before its official inauguration, a grim testament to the haphazard engineering and questionable oversight that plagued many infrastructure projects under Duterte.

This incident highlights a troubling pattern of infrastructure projects that appear rushed, poorly executed, and lacking the necessary safety measures. The collapse of this multi-million peso bridge within months of its partial operation reflects systemic negligence and possible corruption in government construction contracts.

Corruption and Chinese Influence: A Lethal Combination

One of the most contentious aspects of Duterte’s infrastructure drive was his administration’s reliance on Chinese funding, materials, and workforce for many of its major projects. Under agreements with Beijing, the Philippines took on massive debts to finance bridges, roads, and railway projects—often with terms that overwhelmingly favored Chinese companies. Many of these projects were built using Chinese-supplied materials and labor, raising concerns about quality control and the siphoning of jobs away from Filipino workers.

The Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge may not have been a flagship China-backed project, but its fate mirrors the broader risks associated with Duterte’s infrastructure initiatives. With numerous reports of substandard materials being used in government projects, questions must be asked: Were Chinese contractors or materials involved? Was the bridge another casualty of under-the-table deals that prioritized cost-cutting over safety?

A Pattern of Infrastructure Failures

The bridge collapse is not an isolated incident. Several high-profile failures have cast doubt on Duterte’s infrastructure legacy, including:

• The controversial Kaliwa Dam project, plagued by accusations of environmental violations and lack of transparency in its Chinese funding arrangements.
• Defects in other newly built bridges and roads, with reports of cracking and deterioration far earlier than expected lifespans.
• The incomplete and problem-ridden Metro Manila Subway, also backed by Chinese loans, which continues to face delays and cost overruns.

Accountability and the Future of Philippine Infrastructure

With the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) now launching an investigation into the collapse, it is imperative that accountability is enforced. Were there lapses in construction quality checks? Were substandard materials used? Were officials bribed to overlook structural deficiencies? These are questions the Filipino public deserves answers to.

This tragic incident underscores the dangers of prioritizing political grandstanding and foreign appeasement over the well-being of the people. If Duterte’s infrastructure legacy is one of defective projects and massive debt obligations, then future administrations must take urgent steps to rectify past mistakes, ensure transparency in government contracts, and prioritize the use of high-quality materials and competent local workforce.

Conclusion: A Warning for Future Projects

The collapse of the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge serves as a stark warning about the perils of unchecked corruption, poor oversight, and reliance on foreign influence in national infrastructure development. The Filipino people must demand accountability, transparency, and integrity in all government projects to prevent future disasters like this. If not, the country risks more structural failures—both literal and figurative—that could cost not only taxpayer money but also countless lives.