Residents of Barangay Salisay in Dagupan City will soon enjoy faster and easier travel as a new concrete bridge is being built to connect their area to Barangay Anolid in Mangaldan, Pangasinan.

Barangay Chairman Ferdinand Bangsal said the bridge will open new opportunities for their community once completed.

"Talagang malaking tulong ‘yung ginagawang tulay. Kasi ‘yung ginagawang access road doon sa may Mangaldan, less than a kilometer lang. Parang pag naayos na ‘yung tulay namin may connectivity na dito sa barangay namin. Kasi pag labas mo diyan… syempre pag naayos ‘yun, dadaan na rin ang progreso dito sa barangay namin," he said.

The original wooden bridge in Salisay had stood for decades but was neglected eventually and collapsed after the construction of the Paldakit Bridge, which also provided another route to Mangaldan.

Bangsal said rumors of hidden treasure near the old bridge even led some people to dig around it, and further weakened the structure.

"Ewan ko ba kung saan sila nakakakuha ng balita na may mga treasure daw diyan sa may tulay kaya maraming nag-treasure hunting diyan, naghukay nang naghukay hanggang sa gumuho na ‘yung tulay," he added.

For residents like Arman Clores, the new bridge is more than just a road.

"Para sa amin na residente ng Salisay, makikilala ‘yung barangay namin kasi dadaanan ng mga sasakyan. Tsaka soon magpapatayo mga negosyante, maraming magkakatrabaho dito sa barangay namin," Clores said.

According to the project contractor, the first phase is already underway, with sheet piles installed, and the target completion is within four months.

Once finished, the bridge is expected to improve transport, boost local trade, and create more jobs for Salisay residents.