By Rex Catubig

 

IT was the lifeline connecting the island barrios to the heart of Dagupan and “the gateway to the west” along the meandering Agno, “part of the 12- kilometer Golden Road” linking Dagupan to the western towns of Pangasinan.

Built by the Americans in the 1920’s, the concrete and steel Franklin Bridge traversed the wide and deep Calmay River. It was an engineering marvel as it featured a steel drawbridge at the center that opened up to allow passage of tall sailboats. At its foot on the Calmay riverbank, the renowned  Colegio de San Alberto Magno of the Dominicans was a crown jewel amid the humble barrio surroundings.

But nature wrought havoc to the idyllic locale. A devastating flood in 1935 devoured the riverbank, swallowed the brick and mortar colegio, and washed away the bridge. When it subsided, only a chunk of Franklin bridge remained on the “baley” side . While rubbles of the Colegio lay prostrate in “babaliwan”.

The prone columns became our playground despite being warned a “Pugot” lurked there who cast a hex by cutting the head off  one’s shadow.

Sadly, after three decades, in 1972, another destructive flood hit Dagupan. The rampaging river current carved anew the Calmay riverbank  and sank forever the last vestiges of  the Colegio.

Fortunately, the remnant of the Franklin Bridge on the opposite side, was saved from nature’s wrath.

However, in the early years of 2000, man himself almost caused its obliteration.

The construction of the Pantal-Dawel-Lucao diversion road/De Venecia Highway, had put it in jeopardy as it was along its path. Intervention by city officials saved it from demolition.

In 2010, on the 63rd occasion of Agew na Dagupan, the city through Mayor Alipio Fernandez, gave its imprimatur by erecting a marker honoring its role in the city’s history.

Then City Administrator Alvin Fernandez had mentioned the plan to develop the area into a recreational park, a cultural heritage hub. But in a reversal of fortune, the blueprint was cast off by the winds of politics.

Still, the beleaguered bridge endured.

A silver lining appeared when Mayor Belen Fernandez assumed office. She had envisioned the Franklin as part of the grandiose plan to develop the riverbank of Lucao-Pantal-Dawel where a new City Hall would rise. In fact, the plan for the Franklin Bridge was already budgeted and phase one had been started.

But fickle politics got in the way.

Now, the Franklin Bridge is a shameful sight that mirrors our cultural apathy. Informal settlers have defiantly made it home.

Shall we surrender this memorial of our gloried past to ignominy? Shall we burn our bridge, so to speak?

Or hold fast to the dream that this remnant of our history be bestowed with renewed glory?

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