Arenas brings P200-M infra projects to Pangasinan 3rd district

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan  – Third district Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas of this province said she has brought in more than P200 million worth of projects in barely eight months, the latest of which were two bridges whose groundbreaking was held here last week.

Arenas, assisted by her mother, socialite Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas, and Department of Public Works and Highways personnel led by regional director Fidel Ginez, laid the time capsule for the construction of the Pamaranum and Ican-Bogtong bridges, costing P18 million and P22 million, respectively.

Both projects, funded from Arenas’ Project Development Assistance Fund, are expected to be completed in four months.

Arenas said this is the fruit of her hard work in looking for sources of funds as she expressed gratitude to President Arroyo for approving them.

She said the residents of the two remote barangays direly need help from the government.

The Pamaranum Bridge and its road components will provide easier transport of agribusiness products within the barangay and its adjacent barangays of Palapar Norte, Palapar Sur and Bongar to the center of trade.

The Ican-Bogtong Bridge, on the other hand, connects the barangays of Bogtong and Ican in Malasiqui and Sta. Barbara towns

It is a fulfillment of a dream of the local folk as early as the 1970s, according to Malasiqui Mayor Armando Domantay.

Once completed, it will provide faster mobility in transporting agricultural and poultry products of these neighboring towns, thus increasing socio-economic development within the area.

Arenas said a P70-million irrigation project is now being constructed with the help of the President to help farmers in her district.

Meanwhile, Arenas also inaugurated last week the Tarece, Pagal and Pangpang roads, costing P600,000, P300,000 and P500,000, respectively, all in San Carlos City.  – Eva Visperas