Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero is pushing for a thorough review of existing laws and policies on overloaded trucks following the partial collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela.
While the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is investigating the incident, Escudero stressed the need for a separate policy assessment to address enforcement gaps and prevent similar accidents.
“We need to determine how a truck weighing 102 tons was allowed to cross a bridge with a 45-ton limit. This is likely not an isolated case, as many overloaded trucks operate without being flagged,” he said in a GMA News Online report.
The bridge collapsed on February 27, injuring six people. The DPWH confirmed that the bridge had a 44-ton capacity, yet a 100-ton truck attempted to cross it. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. later inspected the site and attributed the collapse to a design flaw, a claim disputed by the bridge’s engineer.
To curb overloading, Escudero suggested banning the installation of reinforcements on truck beds, which often allow vehicles to exceed weight limits. He also called for stricter monitoring based on road and bridge capacities.
Additionally, Escudero said the Senate will scrutinize infrastructure-related expenses caused by overloading during the 2026 national budget deliberations.
“We must put an end to these unnecessary costs,” he concluded.
