Ilocos sur: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) bared Wednesday the opening of the Kaliwet Bridge in Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur, a project that had been under construction since June 9, 2025.
According to Philippines News Agency, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, who inspected the project last month, gave an ultimatum to the contractor to finish the project by the end of May after the detour bridge collapsed when an overloaded 10-wheeler truck attempted to cross it.
The PHP36-million bridge has reduced travel time between the town proper and the eastern barangays from 15 minutes to just five minutes. The new infrastructure has also increased its load limit to 20 tons from five tons.
Barangay Nalasin village chief Vicente Gonzales Jr. called the completion a "great relief" to commuters and motorists. "We are grateful to the DPWH. The bridge is now passable," he said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier ordered Dizon to ensure the quality and timeliness of infrastructure projects nationwide, including the Kaliwet Bridge in Ilocos Sur and the three unfinished bridges of Loing-Mangitayag, Cabaroan, and Estancia in Piddig, Ilocos Norte.
As instructed by the President, all pending DPWH projects must be completed this year to ensure the agency can allocate resources effectively and prioritize projects.
