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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Pimentel bats for probe of bridges, safety review

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Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Sunday pressed for a deeper probe into the collapsed bridge in Loay, Bohol that killed four people in April this year.

He also called for an investigation into the collapse of other bridges, and for a safety review of all the country’s bridges. Pimentel issued the call amid the recent collapse of a bridge in Bayambang, Pangasinan last Thursday.

“Are all our bridges still safe?” Pimentel asked following a series of collapses of bridges in the country?” Pimentel said.

He also cited the collapse of Borja Bridge in Catigbian, Kulafu River Bridge in Davao City, and an old bridge in Majayjay, Laguna.

“I am worried. The incidents are very alarming. They put doubt on the structural integrity and safety of all our bridges,” Pimentel said. “It is time to evaluate the safety of our bridges,” he added.

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He said the collapse of Clarin Bridge over Lobo River which killed four people and injured 15 more should have been a wake-up call for both the national and local governments.

“It should have triggered a safety review of our bridges by the DPWH,” Pimentel stressed.

“Whether it is a local bridge or a DPWH-constructed and -maintained bridge, the government should order a probe and a thorough and detailed assessment of the overall safety of our bridges led by the DPWH,” Pimentel stressed.

He said that a regular assessment of our bridges by the DPWH could prevent any untoward incident from happening again.

Even if some of the bridges are maintained by local government units, Pimentel said nothing prevents the DPWH from setting aside some funds from their budget to inspect and rehabilitate local bridges.

“If budget is needed, include it in the General Appropriations Act,” Pimentel said.

He said the probe should also determine possible errors in the design, specifications, and construction of these bridges.

Pimentel had first raised the issue of the collapsing of bridges during the Senate committee on finance’s hearing on the proposed budget of the DPWH for 2023.

“Bridges are collapsing. What will the DPWH do to ensure the safety of our bridges?” he asked.

Pimentel said the DPWH should ensure that local governments follow the standard specifications for bridge construction.

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