In N. Vizcaya, 34 hurt as hanging bridge collapses

GROWTH BOOSTER The completion of Panguil Bay Bridge linking Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental is expected to boost the local economies of the two provinces by easing the transport of goods and delivery of services and by promoting tourism in north and central Mindanao. --MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

SANTIAGO CITY—Thirty-four high school students in Alfonso Castañeda town, Nueva Vizcaya, were hurt when a 15-meter hanging bridge collapsed as they were crossing it on Thursday morning, local officials said.

In a statement on Friday, Alfonso Castañeda Mayor Wilson Capia-ao said the students, all from Abuyo National High School in Barangay Abuyo, were on their way to Sitio (subvillage) Diogan for their school intramurals when the accident happened.

Four of the injured students were taken to a hospital in Cabanatuan City in nearby Nueva Ecija province, while 13 others were scheduled for medical examinations on Friday. Fourteen students had minor injuries.

Police Maj. Glanery Cabeliza, Alfonso Castañeda police chief, said the bridge collapsed due to the excessive weight from the large number of students crossing the structure at that time.

The bridge, made of iron sheets and steel wire and had ropes for handrail, failed to support the load, leading to the accident, police said.

Cabeliza said the students were about 10 meters from reaching the other side of the bridge when it gave way, causing them to fall either into the Abuyo River or into its rocky and sandy banks.