A provincial official thinks that overloading may have caused the collapse of Loay’s Clarin bridge.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management office (PDRRMO) head Anthony Damalerio said in a radio interview that at least 12 vehicles were on the bridge when the bridge at barangays Poblacion Ubos and Villalimpia collapsed past 4 pm on Apr. 27, 2022.
According to Loay mayor Hilario Ayuban there are 6 four-wheeled vehicles, 3 tricycles, 2 motorcycles, and a dumptruck which are involved in the tragedy.
The old bridge was affected by the jolt created by the 2013 earthquake as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) conducted some retrofitting on the bridge while a new bridge started construction.
Gov. Arthur Yap said it is expected that the new bridge will be used in a “few days”.
According to reports, the Clarin bridge in Loay was built in the 1970s.
Although there are accounts that a steel bridge was constructed after World War II along the eastern road of Bohol connecting the towns of Loay and Albuquerque.
The bridge is named after former Bohol Gov. Aniceto Clarin of Loay.