MANILA, Philippines — The bridge in Pasig City that was damaged after multiple barges slammed into it has been closed pending the structural inspection as to its integrity.
Authorities are assessing the F. Manalo Bridge after its girder or support was reportedly weakened when barges and boats dragged by the strong current caused by the typhoon-enhanced heavy rains collided at the bridge. Critical cracks were also spotted where posts had toppled. In a television interview, Grecile Christopher Damo, project manager of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Unified Project Management Office – Flood Control Management Cluster, said that her office requested for “ample time to investigate the integrity of the structure” to decide on whether “we can still retrofit or totally condemn” it. Damo said the incident was “purely an accident” although it was under investigation. She said that the barges were tied based on standard operating procedure (SOP). The bridge was rendered impassable and has been temporarily closed until further notice.
Bryant Wong, chief of the Pasig City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said there were alternative routes available to motorists.
“What we need to do there is to get an assessment as to whether or not we can use the bridge,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during a situational briefing with concerned agencies.
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Acting Chairman Don Artes said that the wayward barges and boats also struck a pumping station and flood gate although they were not damaged.
Some 20 people were rescued during the incident, the MMDA said.
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