No date yet for closure of Pangasinan bridge

CALASIAO, Pangasinan – The National Government has yet to issue an advisory regarding the date of the closure of the Villamil bridge, which will soon be replaced by a new structure.

Mayor Mark Roy Macanlalay, who is expecting the construction of a new bridge to replace the 50-year-old structure that links the town proper to eastern barangays, said the local government is still awaiting an advisory from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through the 3rd Engineering Sub-district located in Sta. Barbara town.

The bridge is a major link to the towns of Malasiqui and Bayambang, down to Camiling, Tarlac.

Instead of providing eight jeepneys -- which will transport affected commuters for free -- the DPWH will only be able to give two, the local government said.

These free rides are seen as alternatives to the supposed footbridge that was included in the funds to build the new bridge.

The construction of a new Villamil bridge was an initiative of third district Representative Rachel Arenas.

She said the construction of the Villamil bridge and its approaches is a Spanish government-assisted DPWH Bridge Construction/Replacement Project. The contract amount of the 100-meter long bridge and its approaches is P89,221,394.64.

It will replace the existing nine-span bridge with a total length of 92.92 meters that is situated in Marusay river along Mancup-Poblacion road.

Most affected in the closure of the bridge will be students of Calasiao Central School, Calasiao Comprehensive National High School, and Philippine College of Science and Technology, all located at Poblacion. (Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre/Sunnex)