Nearly 100 landowners in three barangays in Mangaldan, Pangasinan fear displacement due to a planned bypass road project by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The landowners live in Barangays Bantayan, Palua, and Macayug.

Among them is 61-year-old Eloisa Biason who is emotional about the potential impact on her family’s home.

Her entire family lives in a single compound, which may be affected by the project.

"Ang implementation is second quarter next year (2025), so paano kami? Okay lang sana kung may relocation, compensation," Biason said.

"Magkano lang compensation? Mauubos yung compensation. Magpapagawa ka ng bahay, bili ka ng lupa," she added.

During the public consultation held by DPWH, residents expressed dissatisfaction with the compensation being offered for their land.

"Siyempre ikaw ba naman may bahay, tapos idi-demolish din. Babayaran ka lang ng gusto nila," Jesus Cerdan, another resident, said.

"Iha-house daw yung madadaanan para at least query nila mapaabot sa taas. Kung mayroon pang paraan na mailihis yung mga madadaanan, para walang maapektuhan na bahay, kasi wala silang malilipatan talaga," Robert Manaois, barangay councilman of Bantayan, said.

NEGOTIATIONS

The DPWH said negotiations on the right of way are ongoing, and further public consultations will be conducted to address the concerns of the landowners who may be affected.

The bypass road, once completed, will provide an alternative route to nearby towns and cities, potentially easing traffic congestion.

"Kung mayroon man, we will conduct another consultation. Kung sakali na magkaroon ng re-alignment, nasa stage pa rin sa consideration sakaling magkaroon ng re-alignment," Atty. Harrold Estocio, Legal Officer of DPWH-1, said.