JDV cited for contribution in Dagupan rehab post-1990 earthquake

By July 21, 2025Top Stories

FORMER five-time House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. was commended during the 35th commemoration of the 1990 Luzon earthquake for his role in the rehabilitation efforts in Dagupan City following the devastating calamity.

At a program held on July 16, 2025, Ryan Ravanzo, secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, recalled De Venecia’s decisive action in Congress that led to the rapid approval of a ₱10-billion earthquake reconstruction fund.

“We are grateful to our five-time House Speaker Jose de Venecia for how quickly Congress acted. They passed, in record time, a ₱10-billion reconstruction fund to rebuild Baguio, Dagupan, and Nueva Ecija — and a sizable portion of that went to Dagupan’s infrastructure. It was the fastest government response we’ve seen,” said Ravanzo, who was among those who shared their unforgettable experiences during the event.

Following the widespread destruction of Dagupan’s major infrastructure, including the iconic Magsaysay Bridge, De Venecia acted swiftly to ensure that Dagupan was prioritized in the national government’s recovery efforts.

Dagupan Mayor Belen Fernandez also shared her personal recollection of the earthquake and how she witnessed JDV’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding the city despite calls at the time to abandon it due to the extent of the damage.

“Some people back then were saying Dagupan was beyond saving. But I saw Speaker JDV walking alongside President Cory Aquino and Mayor (Liberato) Reyna (Sr.), inspecting the damaged downtown. That gave me hope that Dagupan would rise again,” said Fernandez.

The ceremony served not only as a remembrance of the tragedy but also as a tribute to the resilience of the people of Dagupan and to the kind of leadership that truly serves the nation. (Eva Visperas)

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