Overloading eyed in bridge collapse 

CEBU, Philippines —  The local government of Loay, Bohol has conducted an investigation into the collapse of the old Clarin Bridge.

Loay town Mayor Hilario Ayuban told reporters Thursday that investigation will continue to determine the specific cause of the collapse.

Ayuban, however, said that initial conversation with the 24 survivors rescued, the bridge was overloaded.

“Based on my personal nga testimony ug interview sa mga survivors na overload gyud ang bridge kay naay dump truck nga nag counterflow maong nag stock in the middle of the bridge ang mga cars. Na stock ang mga sakyanan,” said Ayuban.

According to Ayuban, since the province was hit by a strong earthquake in 2013, they had not been able to update the load capacity of the said bridge.

“Wala man gyuy announcement man from DPWH kon pila na ang load ang capacity after the earthquake but kani nga bridge everyday man ni gina-use sa tanang mga tawo. So wala kaayoy mura’g kana bang notice or warning gyud sa higher agency nga mao ra gyud na ang load capacity,” said Ayuban.

Furthermore, Ayuban said the local government unit of Loay will shoulder the hospital bills of the survivors.

“Ang mga survivors nga naay hospital bills, ang LGU maoy mobayad in coordination sad also sa provincial government. Ang kaning survivor nga bruises lang mohatag ta og P10,000 sa DSWD,” said Ayuban.

As of 5 p.m. Thursday, the authorities said there were already 12 vehicles that were retrieved from the Loay waters.

Police Lt. Thomas Zen Cheung, information officer of Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO), said the retrieval operations officially concluded yesterday at 2 p.m.

He added that no individuals were reported missing. — GMR (FREEMAN)