By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate Committee on Public Works Chairman Senator Bong Revilla said he is ready to lead the investigation into the bridges that have collapsed nationwide.
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel had previously filed Senate Resolution 1319, calling for a Senate inquiry in aid of legislation concerning these incidents.
Revilla stated that despite his busy schedule due to the election, the Senate Committee on Public Works, which he leads, is prepared to conduct an investigation if the matter is referred to them.
He added that the investigation could also be handled by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Earlier, Pimentel urged for an investigation following the recent collapse of the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela.
“The number of bridge collapses across the country has reached an alarming level, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and significant economic losses. This raises urgent concerns over deficiencies in engineering and design, the use of substandard materials, lack of proper oversight, and possible corruption in infrastructure projects,” Pimentel emphasized in filing Senate Resolution No. 1319.
“Billions of pesos are spent, and years are wasted building these bridges, only for them to collapse in an instant, endangering lives and squandering public funds. Bridges must be built to withstand calamities and heavy use, yet their repeated collapses raise serious concerns,” he stressed.
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