JDV cited for swift rehabilitation of Dagupan after 1990 tremor
DE VENECIA
DAGUPAN CITY – Former five-time House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia Jr. was cited for contributions in rebuilding this city after the devastating July 16, 1990 earthquake.
Ryan Ravanzo, Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, recalled in a program held on July 16 commemorating the 35th anniversary of the 7.8-tremor that De Venecia’s decisive action in Congress led to the rapid approval of a ₱10-billion earthquake reconstruction fund.
“A significant portion of that fund was immediately allocated to Dagupan, thanks to Speaker JDV’s leadership,” Ravanzo said.
“We are grateful to our five-time House Speaker Jose de Venecia for how quickly Congress acted. They passed, in record time, a ₱10-billion reconstruction fund to rebuild Baguio, Dagupan, and Nueva Ecija, and a sizable portion of that went to Dagupan’s infrastructure.”
Ravanzo considered it the fastest government response he experienced.
Among those destroyed by the earthquake was the iconic Magsaysay Bridge here.
THE Magsaysay Bridge destroyed by the earthquake. (Photo via Liezle Basa-Inigo)
Mayor Belen Fernandez here recalled the earthquake and how she witnessed De Venecia's unwavering commitment to rebuilding this city, despite calls to abandon it due to the extent of the damage.
“Some people back then were saying Dagupan was beyond saving. But I saw Speaker JDV walking alongside President Cory Aquino and Mayor Reyna, inspecting the damaged downtown. That gave me hope that Dagupan would rise again,” said Fernandez.
The city government and community prayed for continued safety from disasters, followed by a simultaneous sounding of emergency sirens at 3 p.m.