Hanging bridge in Guba needs fast repair

Sunday’s downpour damaged a hanging bridge in the mountain barangay of Guba in Cebu City, forcing schoolchildren to wade through the river or walk a longer route.

The City Council yesterday decided to fund the bridge repair.

“Barangay Guba does not have the resources to replace or even repair the bridge,” said Councilor Alvin Arcilla, whose resolution requesting aid was approved.
City engineers will prepare cost estimates after visiting the site.

The swollen river swept away bamboo poles and tree trunks holding up the bridge.

The safety of children was put at risk because they had to either “wade through the treacherous waters or make a detour” of several kilometers to reach their school, said the report.

A damaged spillway in barangay Cambinocot also makes it hard for residents to cross the river especially if they carry their farm produce, said Arcillla who asked for the bridge to be inspected.

Meanwhile, 10 families in barangay Bacayan, whose houses were flooded by the Butuanon River, will be relocated to barangay Budlaan next week.

Bacayan barangay captain Amadeo Borces said he is seeking financial aid from the city government for affected residents on top of the P2,000 aid given by the barangay to each family. A state of calamity was declared in Bacayan after the weekend downpour.

Borces met with the Department of Environment and Natural Reosurces in Central Visayas yesterday to discuss anti-flood measures of the Butuanon River.

DENR recommended the desilting and cleaning of the river channel, proper garbage disposal and installation of dikes and riprap.

Another 30 families living on the riverbank have to be relocated, said the agency. /Chief of Reporters Doris C.Bongcac with Candeze R. Mongaya