Netizens criticized the slow and unfinished construction of the Bubusawin Bridge leading to Barangay Apurawan in Aborlan, Palawan, but the 3rd District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways said the visible damage on the structure is part of ongoing works and not a sign of structural failure.
The issue gained attention on social media after motorists posted photos and comments questioning why the bridge in Sitio Bubusawin remains incomplete and appears damaged even before it is finished.
In one Facebook post, a netizen said the situation has caused long-standing inconvenience to road users and uncertainty on when the bridge will be completed.
“Yung tipong kada daan ko dito, nagtatanong ako kailan pa kaya matapos para maging maginhawa na sa pakiramdam ng mga dadaan, pero sus ginoo, di pa nga tapos pero sira na,” the netizen wrote.
Other motorists shared the same view. In another post, a netizen said the condition of the bridge was already painful to look at.
“Ito tingnan n’yo mga kol, ang ginagawang tulay sa Bubusawin, Brgy. Apurawan. Masakit pa sa iniwan ka ng mahal mo,” the post read.
In response to the online posts, the 3rd District Engineering Office explained that the cracks seen on the Bubusawin Bridge along the Aramaywan–Berong–Puerto Princesa Road appeared during post-tensioning works and involved only one of the four prestressed concrete girders.
The agency said the girder was immediately ordered removed and replaced to meet safety standards and ensure public safety.
“It is important to clarify that the worsened appearance of the girder shown in the circulating video is a direct result of the ongoing demolition activities. At the time the video was taken, the girder was already scheduled for removal and was intentionally being dismantled,” it said in a statement to Palawan News.
“The bridge structure itself was not damaged due to structural failure or design deficiency, nor was the bridge opened or used prior to completion,” the agency added.
DPWH said construction of the Bubusawin Bridge is ongoing, with the defective girder now being removed and set for replacement with a new prestressed girder that meets their specifications.
The agency said the project is 79.39% complete, with a revised expiry date of January 21, 2026.
