The
Domalandan Bridge in Lingayen, easily
one of Luzon's longest (more than 600 meters in length), is doomed to
suffer an equally long reconstruction period because of lack of funds.
Rebuilding of the bridge which started in 2001 right after it was
devastated by typhoon in August, has reached its sixth year today,
further fanning the anguish of commuters from Lingayen going westward
who find the Domalandan road a convenient short-cut to Alaminos City
and other towns in the west.
This new year, however, will hopefully
see the promise of completion of reconstruction work on the bridge
coming sooner than expected. President Gloria Arroyo, who was
Lingayen's special guest during its January fiesta, announced the
release of P100 million to resume work on the bridge, also vowing to
give the remaining P120 million "as soon as possible". Total cost of
reconstructing the Domalandan Bridge was estimated by Regional DPWH
office at P720 million and with the release already of P540 million,
the new Domalandan Bridge will expectedly be in place within a few
months.
The promise of President Arroyo to see
to the completion of the bridge is certainly most welcome. In fact,
any promise of action to complete any infrastructure project should be
heartily welcomed. But all these only point to how infrastructure
development projects continue to be pursued and prioritized. It all
comes down to the same old political patronage. Releases of funds for
these projects are discretionary on the part of those who hold the
power over the purse, - in this case, either the legislators or the
President.
The interminable delay in the
completion of the Domalandan project is but another classic example of
how the national government prioritizes its infrastructure projects.
One can only conclude that the reason why it has taken this long to
complete it is because our politicos cannot or have not ascertained
the amount of goodwill that the completion can generate, and in whose
favor.
The President's own statement in
announcing the release of P100 million says it all. The readiness on
her part to help fast-track reconstruction of the bridge comes as a
gesture of gratitude for her being constantly asked to be coronation
guest in the town's every fiesta since she became senator,
vice-president and now president of the Republic.
Perhaps, the provincial board should
adopt a policy directing all towns to invite only national officials
who can promise the release of funds for the province's crowning
guests in all fiestas.
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