Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera (Rep. Herrera's office)

Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera wants to get to the bottom of the collapse of a concrete column at a Metro Rail Transit (MRT) construction site along West Avenue in Quezon City.

For this purpose, Herrera filed House Resolution (HR) No. 2262, which urged the House of Representatives to exercise its oversight powers and conduct an in-depth inquiry to determine accountability over the collapsed column, as well as to assess public safety risks, and strengthen government oversight on transportation infrastructure projects nationwide.

“This is not just a construction failure. This is a grave breach of public trust," said Herrera. a deputy minority leader in the House of Representatives. 

"When a massive concrete post crumbles at a major transport project site, the lives of thousands of Filipinos are endangered—and we cannot allow this to go unpunished or unexamined,” she said.

The MRT column fell on Sunday, April 13. Photos and reports circulating online show the fallen concrete column lying across the road, causing fear and panic among nearby residents and commuters. 

The incident has also raised serious questions about the quality of construction and safety standards being observed in one of the government’s flagship infrastructure programs.

“We need to know what went wrong—from the design and materials used, to the actual worksite practices and government inspections. Who approved this? Who failed to monitor it? Who should be held accountable?” Herrera asked.

The resolution cited the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the MRT Project Management Office as agencies that must be summoned to explain their roles and possible lapses. Project contractors, subcontractors, engineers, and local officials are also expected to be called to testify.

“Government infrastructure should never put the public at risk. If there are systemic failures, we will uncover them. If regulations are being ignored or outdated, we will recommend urgent reforms,” Herrera said.

The seasoned party-list lawmaker underscored the importance of conducting structural audits, third-party safety assessments, and community hazard notifications in all ongoing and future government construction projects.

The resolution mandates the appropriate House committee to submit its findings and recommendations within 30 days of the inquiry’s commencement to ensure swift legislative and policy responses.

“We owe it to the public to act with urgency and integrity. This is about protecting lives, restoring trust, and ensuring that our infrastructure meets the highest safety standards,” Herrera said.