By Eva Visperas
The long-awaited 90-meter hanging bridge was officially inaugurated, bringing much-needed relief to the residents of Barangay Lipit Sur and Pugaro in Manaoag, Pangasinan, during a heartfelt ceremony held on November 29, 2024.
The bridge is not only a vital infrastructure project but also a symbol of perseverance, community effort, and hope for progress.
For years, the residents of Lipit Sur and Pugaro faced the daunting task of crossing the river in their area to reach the town center in Manaoag, especially during the rainy season when the river’s water level would rise, making the bamboo bridge unsafe.
Students, teachers, and residents alike had to rely on rescue vehicles or take long detours to reach their destinations. The completion of this hanging bridge, designed as a footbridge but able to accommodate bicycles, marks the culmination of years of dreams and hard work.
The journey toward the realization of the bridge began years ago when the community voiced its call for a safer, more permanent solution to the dangerous crossing.
District Engineer Edita Manuel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shared the significance of the project during the inauguration, saying, “We are fully supporting all the advocacy of our Congressman here in the 4th District. Although the bridge is completed, there is still work to be done, especially on the road leading to the bridge. We’ve already secured an additional fund of P5 million for that.”
However, despite its size and importance, the bridge is still primarily designed as a footbridge, with bicycles allowed but not motor vehicles. The residents of both Lipit Sur and Pugaro, whose lives were once constrained by the unpredictable weather and treacherous crossings, are overjoyed by the change.
Bernard Valdez, a 58-year-old resident of Lipit Sur, recalled the hardship of crossing the river when the only bridge was made of bamboo. “When the typhoon hit, we would have to take a truck to go around, and that was the only way for us to get to school or work. The bamboo bridge was dangerous, especially for children. We’re really thankful to Congressman De Venecia, Kapitan Benedict Salon, and Mayor Jeremy Rosario for making this bridge a reality,” Valdez said.
For Danilo Garcia, a barangay tanod who lives near the bridge area, the new structure has provided peace of mind. “When the water is low, we would cross here. But when it’s high, we have to take a longer route, sometimes all the way around Nantanglan. It was really difficult. But now, this bridge will make it safer for everyone, especially for the students,” he said.
One of the most emotional testimonies came from Kristel Joy Pajarillo, a 12-year-old Grade 6 student from Lipit Sur Elementary School. “Before, I had to wake up at 5:30 a.m. just to make it to school on time. I’d have to go all the way around, and sometimes we’d use the bamboo bridge, which was risky. But now, I wake up at 6 a.m. and leave by 7 a.m., and I’m not late anymore. I’m so thankful that we finally have this bridge,” Pajarillo said.
Realyn Bautista, a teacher at Lipit Sur Elementary School, shared her own experience with the dangerous crossings. Having once almost drowned while crossing the river, she recalled, “There were times when the water was so strong, but we had no choice but to risk crossing just to go to school. It was so slippery on the bamboo bridge, and I remember slipping not just once but twice, my things getting soaked. This bridge is a huge relief for all of us, especially for the students. We’ve been waiting for this for so long,” she said.
The hanging bridge is not just an infrastructure project, but a testament to the power of collaboration. Mayor Jeremy Rosario emphasized the importance of community efforts in his speech, expressing gratitude to the barangay council, local officials, and the De Venecia family. “We are wholeheartedly thankful to the De Venecia family for their support. This is not just a bridge, but a legacy that will benefit generations to come,” he said, referring to the bridge’s role in improving the lives of the students from Zones 6 and 7.
Pangasinan Fourth District Rep. Christopher “Toff” de Venecia, whose advocacy and support helped bring the project to fruition, expressed his personal connection to the project. “This project started when Kap Benedict came to me with the idea. We were in Babasit when he mentioned the need for a bridge here, and I knew right away we needed to prioritize it. It’s been a long road, but seeing it completed today is such a rewarding moment,” he said.
De Venecia also acknowledged the community’s role in the project’s success, noting, “This bridge is a symbol of hope and progress for our nation. Every time we cross it, we are reminded of the perseverance that brought us here,” he said.
In her emotional speech, former Congresswoman Gina De Venecia, mother of the incumbent congressman, who led the groundbreaking ceremony in March 2024, reflected on the significance of the bridge. “This project is very sentimental for me because I was there at the start. I’m so grateful that after many years, the suffering of our people, especially the students, is over. They can now safely cross the river without fear,” she said.
She also extended her gratitude to the local officials and agencies involved in the project. “We thank our congressman, Mayor Ming Rosario, the Barangay Council of Lipit Sur led by Kapitan Benedict Salon, and the DPWH. This bridge is a fulfillment of a long-time wish for the people of Lipit Sur, and it is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together.”
The inauguration of the hanging bridge in Barangay Lipit Sur is more than just the completion of a vital infrastructure project. It is a victory for the residents who have long struggled with the risks and difficulties of crossing the river, a celebration of community, and a symbol of progress for the entire municipality of Manaoag.
As the bridge now stands strong and secure, it is a pathway not only for the people of Lipit Sur but also for their hopes and dreams, a reminder that, no matter the obstacles, a better future is always possible through collaboration, perseverance, and a shared vision.
“May this bridge serve as a testament to our nation’s perseverance, hope, and progress,” said Congressman De Venecia. And with that, the people of Lipit Sur can finally cross with certainty, knowing that their dreams of a safer, better future have become a reality.