A bridge in Purok 5, Barangay Ilawod, Camalig, Albay, collapsed on Thursday afternoon, August 28, 2025, after an overloaded truck carrying rocks attempted to cross. The incident has sparked renewed discussions on the safety and quality of government infrastructure projects in the region.
According to residents, the bridge had long shown signs of deterioration, with visible cracks and weakened supports. Witnesses said the truck, heavily loaded with quarry materials, caused the structure to give way, sending debris crashing into the river below. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported, though the sudden collapse has caused serious concern among locals who rely on the bridge for daily transport and commerce.
Barangay officials confirmed that the bridge served as a vital link for farmers, traders, and students in the area. With its collapse, residents now face difficulty accessing the town proper, forcing them to take longer and more costly routes. Community members are urging immediate government intervention to restore the bridge and ensure their safety.
The incident also reignited public debate on the issue of substandard infrastructure projects in Albay and other provinces. Recent investigations have revealed irregularities in government-funded flood control projects, with allegations that contractors and certain politicians profited from poorly built structures that fail after only a few years. These revelations have heightened suspicion that the Camalig bridge may not have been maintained according to proper standards.
Local advocacy groups are now calling for accountability, stressing that lives are being put at risk by negligence and corruption in infrastructure development. “This is not just about one bridge. It is about a pattern of substandard construction that endangers communities. We demand transparency and accountability from both contractors and public officials,” said a community leader.
Meanwhile, the municipal government has pledged to investigate the collapse while coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for temporary solutions and eventual reconstruction.
For the people of Camalig, however, the immediate priority is simple: the swift rebuilding of a safe, durable bridge that will restore their mobility and prevent similar disasters in the future.