A newly built two-storey barangay hall in Barangay Embarcadero, Mangaldan, Pangasinan, was demolished after it was hit by an ongoing bridge construction in the area.

Barangay Chairman Teofilo Frianieza, Jr. said the lot where the barangay hall stood was not owned by the barangay.

Although the land is government property, Frianieza said they did not expect that a new bridge would be built on the old road where their barangay hall was located.

“Natamaan talaga ng tulay; tatlong palapag pa man din,” Frianieza said.

According to site in-charge Antonio Gavino, the barangay hall’s location made its demolition unavoidable.

“Nasa gitna po talaga kasi ng kalsada kaya talagang tatamaan ang barangay hall,” Gavino said.

The chairman added that the demolition did not happen immediately. The contractor first discussed the situation with barangay officials and promised to help them build a new hall, although smaller than the old one.

“Ang sabi ko sa contractor, kahit magtayo ng bagong barangay hall. Ito, binigyan naman na kami,” Frianieza said.

Gavino assured that their team also considered the possible disruption of services during the construction.

“Iniisip din po ng boss namin na syempre ‘yung mga transactions maapektuhan kung walang barangay hall,” he said.

The new barangay hall now stands a few meters away from the old site on a 100-square-meter lot donated by a private individual. It has been in use for about a month.

Residents like Teofilo Solis were relieved that the barangay hall has been replaced.

“Nakuha po kasi sa tulay ‘yung barangay hall namin, pero okey na po ngayon. At least may barangay hall po kami,” Solis said.

Despite the demolition, barangay transactions have continued smoothly.