Dion predecessor’s failed to include P50 M for Bridge completion

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN – The head of the Pangasinan 2nd Engineering District blamed his predecessor as responsible for the delay of the completion of the Magueragday Bridge in Barangay Bonuan Binloc,  Dagupan City.

District Engineer Rodolfo Dion of

 the Pangasinan 2nd Engineering District

The 84-meter bridge has become a bane to motorists and commuters that avail it.
Engineer Rodolfo Dion said that when the budget for the projects for the 4th Congressional District were submitted to the office of Representative Gina de Venecia by the District Engineer (DE) here the DE failed to include the final Phase 2 of the bridge, he was still the DE of Ilocos Sur.
 ‘I was assigned in Ilocos (Sur) when the lists of projects for the 4th congressional district for the 2015 General Appropriation Act.  The Phase 2 of the bridge worth P50 million was not included,” he stressed.
He said Congresswoman de Venecia was not at fault on the delay of the bridge’s conclusion since she wrote last March DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson for the urgency to provide a fund for the Phase 2.
Singson, according to Dion, replied to the solon’s letter telling her he already instructed DPWH Region -1 Director   Melanio C. Briosos to submit documents so that his office could evaluate the things needed for the Phase-2.
The Phase 1 of the P45 million Magueragday Bridge, the District Engineer explained, is composed of the constructions of the detour bridge, substructure, board file foundation, and others that were completed last January since it was constructed in February 2014.
Dion said the funds for the Phase 2 would come from the savings of the department this year.

When told that some members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) complained that there is no light there, Dion said the private contractor had put reflector signs to forewarn motorists.
He added that the private contractor could not put a light there since there are no accessible electrical posts. 
“Besides, the area is well lit in night time even there is no electricity in that place. I have been passing the road and the bridge there”.
He denied raps that the Phase 1 was completed in three years.
“That is not the Magueragday Bridge, what they are talking is the nearby Longos Bridge. The Phase 1 of the bridge did not take three years to build”.
Board Member Liberato Villegas complained at the hearing that the fate of the bridge became uncertain after its contractor abandoned it.

He asked Dion why DPWH demolished the bridge when the fund was lacking for its construction.