Revilla blamed Pangasinan bridge collapse to DPWH
By Nidz Godino
“Nakadidismaya ang pagbagsak ng Romulo Bridge sa Pangasinan…nakalulungkot din ang hindi bababa sa apat nating kababayang nasugatan, at mas marami pa ang naapektuhan dahil sa insidenteng ito,” Senate public works committee chairman Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.. expressed dismay over collapse of part of bridge in Bayambang, Pangasinan saying this could have been averted had Department of Public Works and Highways conducted regular structural integrity inspection. Maaari naman sanang naiwasan ito kung ginawa lang ng DPWH ang kanilang trabahong siguruhing laging nasa mabuting kondisyon at tibay ang mga imprastruktura para sa kaligtasan ng publiko,” he stressed.
A part of Carlos P. Romulo Bridge in Barangay Wawa, Bayambang town collapsed , two trucks fall.
Revilla then urged the DPWH to be proactive in auditing and inspecting all existing public infrastructure to ensure their structural integrity.
“Hindi dapat na hinihintay pa ang lindol, bagyo, o iba pang sakuna bago pa kumilos para suriin ang tibay at kondisyon ng mga tulay, daan, at iba pang imprastrakturang ginagamit ng taumbayan, failure to conduct timely inspection and retrofitting of public infrastructure puts the safety and lives of our countrymen at risk, ” he said.
For Revilla, recent incident in Pangasinan is a “glaring example of the injurious effects of crumbling infrastructure.”
The lawmaker also said there is recent video that circulated in social media showing part of flyover from 32nd Street in Bonifacio Global City to C-5 Road which was already dilapidated and “ready to collapse at any given time.”
“Labis na nakakabahala…nananawagan din tayong mabilisang maisaayos ang mga ito upang hindi mapilay ang transportasyon sa mga lugar na yan…immediate repair and restoration should be done to avoid impeding transport of persons, as well as flow of goods and services,” he said.
Further, Revilla said DPWH should lead coordination in the implementation of weight limit to make sure that national infrastructures are used properly.
He said giving importance to public infrastructures should not end at ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
“Equally important, aged infrastructure must always be retrofitted so that they remain compliant with the demands of the times and the current standards,” he concluded.
ISKUP! 