The hanging bridge in Barangay Sapang Bayan in Calumpit, Bulacan was temporarily closed to people and motorcycles after it suddenly tilted while a crowd was watching a fluvial parade in the town’s river on Thursday, June 23.
In a video posted in social media, a large number of people on the bridge were seen watching the Libad Festival in Calumpit River when the bridge suddenly tilted, causing the spectators to lose their balance and almost fall into the river.
Luckily, no one was hurt in the incident.
Authorities later found out that the bridge’s foundation suffered deep cracks probably due to overloading.
Outgoing Calumpit Mayor Jessie P. de Jesus immediately coordinated with the Municipal Engineering Office, Department of Public Works, and Highways (DPWH) District Engineer, and the Bulacan Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) to assess the damage and make the necessary repairs on the bridge.
In an interview with Manila Bulletin, the residents appealed to the Bulacan provincial government to change the hanging bridge into a two-lane concrete bridge so that four-wheel vehicles could also pass through it.
"This is a challenge to the newly elected public servants in Calumpit as well as to the newly elected congressman of the First District of Bulacan Danny Domingo," they said.
According to some residents in the village, the late Blas F. Ople was the one who sponsored the construction of the hanging bridge.