A 25-year-old steel bridge collapsed in Brgy. Balabag, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental collapsed Sunday afternoon, Aug 1.
La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalandooon said that three vehicles were simultaneously crossing the bridge, when it collapsed.
The three light vehicles, including an Asian Utility Vehicle, a compact sedan, and a pickup truck, had combined 16 occupants, with some of them suffering minor injuries.
Jalandoon said that passenger tricycles are mostly passing the steel bridge that was by the Cojuangco family in 1996.
The three vehicles were loaded with members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, who were from Pontevedra and were accompanying home their minister to another church in La Carlota.
Meanwhile, Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo clarified that the structure that collapsed is not in the inventory of bridges under Bago, contrary to earlier reports.
Yulo said that Mayor Jalandoon told him that the bridge is part of Brgy. Balabag in La Carlota.
Jalandoon added that the La Carlota City Engineer’s Office is now investigating the incident.
He said the city is also looking for funds to finance the construction of another bridge in the area. — GB
