BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A 25-year-old steel bridge in Brgy. Balabag, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental collapsed on Aug. 1.
La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalandoon said three vehicles were crossing the bridge when it collapsed.
The three light vehicles, including an Asian Utility Vehicle, a compact sedan, and a pick-up, reportedly had 16 occupants, and some of them suffered minor injuries while others were apparently only shaken by the incident.
Jalandoon said that tricycles are the ones mostly using the steel bridge.
The steel bridge was constructed by the Cojuangco family in 1996.
The three vehicles loaded with members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, who came from Pontevedra, were on their way to another church in La Carlota to deliver their minister, when the accident took place.
Mayor Nicholas Yulo clarified yesterday that the Bailey bridge that collapsed is not in the inventory of bridges under Bago City, contrary to earlier reports.
Yulo said that Jalandoon told him the bridge is part of Brgy. Balabag in La Carlota City.
Jalandoon said the La Carlota City Engineer’s Office is now investigating the incident, and they are now looking for funds for the construction of another bridge in the area.*
