DPWH probes Pampanga riverwall collapse

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is examining the collapse of a riverbank defense structure in Pampanga hardly 2 years after it was constructed, as it speeds up deal with 2 long-delayed bridges in the province and Albay.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon stated over the week that they will summon the specialist’s agents for a joint examination with provincial and city government authorities following the collapse in Barangay San Mateo, Arayat, which might threaten neighboring homes along the Pampanga River.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has actually bought the professional held liable if private investigators discover that the sheet stacks utilized in the job stopped working to satisfy the measurements defined in the authorized strategies. Dizon stated the sheet stacks must determine 36 meters, however the reason for the collapse and any building and construction infractions have yet to be developed.

Procurement records reveal that the authorized budget plan for the rehab of the deteriorated riverbank structure reached P96.5 million for Phase 2, with another P96.5 million noted for Phase 3. The DPWH has yet to clarify which stage covers the collapsed area or divulge the last agreement quantity for the afflicted work.

The DPWH is targeting the opening of the San Agustin Bridge in Arayat before Christmas 2026, after the job stayed incomplete for almost 9 years.

The bridge task got a reported overall allowance of P237 million for Phases 1 to 3. Since Oct. 9, Phase 2 was supposedly 60-percent total, with conclusion targeted for the following month.

Dizon has actually bought building and construction sped up in line with Marcos’ instruction to complete stalled facilities jobs and guarantee that taxpayer-funded centers are put to public usage. As soon as functional, the bridge is anticipated to reduce traffic for vehicle drivers taking a trip through Arayat and nearby provinces.

In Daraga, Albay, building of the Kilicao-Binitayan Bridge is nearing conclusion after staying stalled for 15 years.

A regional report put the task’s approximated expense at around P250 million. The last agreement quantity and the newest main building and construction figures have yet to be separately verified.

Dizon examined the task in May 2026 and bought its conclusion to extra citizens the difficulty of continuing to cross the location’s old steel bridge. Marcos earlier directed the DPWH to open the bridge before All Souls’ Day to make travel much easier for citizens and drivers heading to other locations and cemeteries.

The 3 jobs highlight the DPWH’s parallel concerns: examining a possibly harmful facilities failure and finishing long-delayed public works planned to enhance transport and safeguard neighborhoods.

The DPWH has yet to reveal the last findings of the riverbank examination or verify a conclusive opening date for the Kilicao-Binitayan Bridge.