In a firm commitment to address long-standing infrastructure delays, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has pledged to finally complete the construction of the San Agustin Bridge in Arayat, Pampanga, within the current year.
Secretary's On-Site Inspection Reveals Years of Delay
During a press briefing held on Monday, January 12, 2026, Secretary Dizon expressed his clear disappointment over the stalled project. His dismay stemmed from a personal inspection conducted in September 2025, where he witnessed the bridge's unfinished state firsthand. The visit was part of a trip where he also examined the criticized "substandard" flood control project in Barangay Candating.
"After we visited the faulty flood control in Arayat, the new mayor showed us the San Agustin Bridge that was never finished," Dizon stated. "It seems its appearance has been like that for eight to ten years. We will finish that this year. That is our promise to the mayor and to the governor of Pampanga."
A Top Priority for 2026
Following his assessment, Dizon has elevated the bridge's completion to one of the top priorities for the DPWH in 2026. This move signals a direct intervention from the national department to resolve a local infrastructure issue that has plagued the community for nearly a decade.
The San Agustin Norte Bridge is situated just a few kilometers from the contentious Candating Flood Control Project, highlighting a cluster of infrastructure concerns in the Arayat area that the DPWH is now actively addressing.
Implications for Arayat and Pampanga
The completion of the bridge is expected to:
- Improve connectivity and transportation for residents and businesses.
- Resolve a significant point of frustration for the local government and community.
- Demonstrate the current administration's focus on delivering long-overdue projects.
All eyes will now be on the DPWH to fulfill this public promise and transform the vision of a completed San Agustin Bridge into a reality for the people of Arayat within the year.
