By Eva Visperas
DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — In a historic moment long-awaited by the residents of Dagupan, the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new Calmay Bridge was held on December 20, 2024.
This major infrastructure project, which will span across the wide Calmay River, was initiated after nearly nine decades of anticipation, and it promises to transform transportation, boost economic growth, and enhance connectivity for local communities.
The ceremony took place in Barangay Calmay and was led by Pangasinan Fourth District Representative Christopher de Venecia, who has been instrumental in securing the funding for the bridge. He was joined by Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez, former congresswoman Gina de Venecia, and officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), including Engr. Dexter Cavaneyro, Assistant Division Chief of the Planning and Design Division of DPWH Region 1, and District Engineer Edita Manuel.
The new bridge will connect downtown Dagupan to Barangay Calmay and will link to Binmaley and Lingayen, offering a vital alternative to congested routes. It will replace the old Franklin Bridge, which was washed out by a devastating flood in 1935, and will bring new opportunities for commercial development and ease of travel for island communities.
Rep. De Venecia expressed his gratitude to President Bongbong Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez for their support in realizing the long-awaited project. “This bridge will pave the way for more commercial activities, particularly in the island barangays of Calmay and Carael, contributing to the overall economic growth of Dagupan City,” he said.
“The vision of former Speaker Jose de Venecia, my father, has finally come true. It took decades, but this bridge is a testament to the power of execution alongside vision. This is the modern Dagupan we have been dreaming of,” he added.
The Calmay Bridge is part of the larger Pangasinan-Zambales Road to Judge Jose de Venecia Boulevard Extension, with the bridge itself having an estimated cost of P1.8375 billion.
Engr. Cavaneyro from DPWH noted that initial funding of P150 million was allocated in 2024, with additional funds expected in 2025. “This bridge will reduce traffic and ease the daily burden of commuting, especially for students and residents of island barangays,” he explained.
District Engineer Edita Manuel of the Second Pangasinan Engineering District emphasized the significant benefits of the new Calmay Bridge, stating, “This project will not only improve connectivity between Dagupan City and the island barangays of Calmay and Carael, but it will also ease traffic congestion, promote economic growth, and provide safer, more reliable access to essential services.”
She added that the bridge will be a key infrastructure that will enhance mobility for both residents and businesses, fostering progress in the region.
Mayor Belen Fernandez hailed the bridge as a game-changer for Dagupan City. “This is more than just a piece of infrastructure; it is a bridge to progress,” she said.
She added, “The new bridge will shorten travel times for residents and businesses, which will contribute significantly to economic growth. This bridge will not only ease transportation but will also provide quicker access to vital services, such as hospitals, especially for mothers in labor.”
Fernandez also highlighted the vision of Speaker Jose de Venecia, whose foresight laid the foundation for this project decades ago.
For the residents of Barangay Calmay, the new bridge comes as a much-needed relief. Milagros Raciles, a 78-year-old Barangay Health Worker (BHW) since 1982, shared her heartfelt gratitude: “We used to feel nervous crossing the river, especially when the water levels rose. With the new bridge, our burden will be eased. Thank you, Congressman Christopher, for this incredible gift. This is the best Christmas present we could have asked for.”
Lynette Cayabyab, 48, president of the BHW in Calmay, added, “The bridge will have a huge impact on us. It will reduce traffic and make travel much easier, especially during high tide, which has been a problem for so long.”
For Evelyn Erfe, a 53-year-old BHW with five children, the project brings back memories of the difficulty in traveling in the past. “When it rained, the road would get slippery, and we would often slip. But with the bridge, that will no longer be a concern,” she said.
Calmay Barangay Captain Jovencio Salayog expressed his thanks on behalf of the people of Calmay and Carael: “The new bridge will make it easier for us to get to the city, with no traffic and no danger during high tide. College students and residents who travel to the city for work or study will greatly benefit from this project,” he said.
Scheduled for completion in 2026, the Calmay Bridge is part of the ongoing Dagupan-Mangaldan Circumferential Road project, which will further improve connectivity within the region. DPWH Regional Director Ronnel Tan also mentioned that the Lingayen-Dagupan Road via Binmaley, through the Jose de Venecia Expressway, is expected to be finished soon, further enhancing accessibility between key areas in Pangasinan.