LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The Provincial Board has expressed its concern over the stalled construction of a vital concrete bridge linking Dagupan City and San Fabian town.
Fourth district Board Member Liberato Villegas said he was dismayed to find out there is not much work going on now at the Mangiranday bridge between Barangays Binloc in Dagupan and Longos, San Fabian.
Second Pangasinan Highways District Engineer Rodolfo Dion said although the area is under his jurisdiction, the project is not being administered by his office but by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office.
Nevertheless, he told the board that Phase 1 of the Mangiranday bridge costing P45 million was already completed in 2014 and Phase II unfortunately was not included in the 2015 General Appropriations Act.
Noting this, Representative Gina de Venecia wrote DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson on March 9 requesting for additional allocation of P50 million for the completion of the project.
In turn, Secretary Singson directed the DPWH regional director to prepare the necessary program of work for Phase II of the project.
Board Member Villegas said it is a sad thing that the Phase II of the project was not included in the 2015 general appropriations act while it was included in Phase I.
He said the detour bridge where motor vehicles are passing through is now almost dilapidated and its approaches now almost unpassable.
The Provincial Board said it is not only the Mangiranday Bridge that is being delayed and causing too much concerns on the part of motorists but also the Balococ bridge in Lingaywn.
Dion said the Balococ bridge is also being administered by DPWH regional office. (PNA)