Culprit of continuous bridge weakening: stolen foundations

Paul Bamba

December 13, 2023

The Sapang Bayan Bridge in Calumpit, Bulacan has been causing anxiety for motorists and residents ever since it collapsed on June 23, 2021 due to overloading.

As per the sangguniang barangay of Sapang Bayan, the bridge is under “continuous maintenance” but not a full-scale rehabilitation. 

“Hindi full rehabilitation ang ginagawa namin dito ngayon, basta yung nag-collapse ‘yan last 2 years ago, pinalitan lang namin yan ng iilang bolts, bakal, at flooring,” a barangay official said.

Rodrigo Cunanan, a resident of Calumpit, mentioned that the main culprit of the bridge’s constant weakening are thieves who allegedly stole plenty of steel foundations submerged in the river.

“Yung dahilan ng malakas na pag-gewang ng tulay na ‘yan, dahil sa mga magnanakaw. Ninanakaw yung mga pundasyon ay bakal na beam sa ilalim ng tulay”, Cunanan explained.

Meanwhile, following the explanation of the sangguniang barangay of Sapang Bayan, the bridge’s steel bars, floorings, and nuts remained covered in thick rust, and the side railings were seen unlocked, missing metal locks for stabilizing purposes.  

Former barangay kagawad Candido Javier explained that the bridge was originally built having wood as its foundation in the 1980’s to transport people from Sapang Bayan to Poblacion. Then in the early 2000’s, it transitioned to a steel-type suspension bridge, beginning reconstruction with steel foundations submerged in Calumpit River.—OVERTURN