Pangasinan: Two major infrastructure projects in Pangasinan will be completed by end-2027 after years of delays due to staggered funding, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said Friday. "They submitted the budget to the central office but it was put off and the funds are diverted," he said in Filipino during his inspection visit here.
According to Philippines News Agency, one project is the 3.92-kilometer Villasis-Sto. Tomas Bypass Road bridge, which is worth PHP2 billion and links the Villasis Bypass Road to Sto. Tomas. Started eight years ago, the bridge received over PHP920 million but still needs PHP1.1 billion to complete the remaining 43.18 percent of its construction, based on DPWH's data as of Jan. 31 this year.
Dizon also inspected the 9.913-kilometer Binalonan-Laoac-Villasis Diversion Road (BLV), a PHP1.2-billion project now 71.51 percent complete. It requires PHP346.6 million more for completion. Dizon directed local DPWH officials to seek full funding, stating the projects should have been prioritized to benefit Pangasinenses.
"The governor and the congressman are telling me that travel time from Manaoag to the other localities here can be only within five minutes instead of almost one hour due to traffic," he said, citing the BLV's impact. The bridge, he added, will ease congestion in Rosales.
Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III said the BLV links the Binalonan diversion road to the Urdaneta bypass and connects Laoac, Manaoag, San Jacinto, Mangaldan, Dagupan, Binmaley, and Lingayen. "We have been waiting for this for a long time. It was good because Secretary Dizon asked questions like how much, the time frame, is it achievable. Not just making promises. Very objective," he said.
Pangasinan 5th District Rep. Ramon Guico Jr. stated the BLV will speed up travel once completed. Rosales Mayor William Cezar said the bridge will decongest traffic, while Sto. Tomas Mayor Dickerson Villar said it will offer an alternate route and boost growth. "It would most likely spur growth and development in our town. When there is a road, there is economic growth," he said in Filipino.
