Hanging bridge links village to town center

THE HANGING steel footbridge connects Sitio Lagaan in Barangay Banawan to the rest of Pioduran town in Albay province.

PIODURAN, Albay—Residents need not wade or ride on a boat to cross the Panganiran River in Sitio Lagaan in Barangay Banawan here just to reach the town center.

On Friday, a P5-million hanging steel footbridge, about 120 meters long, was opened to connect Lagaan to the rest of Pioduran, a third-class municipality (annual income: P35 million-P45 million) in Albay province. It is one of the priority infrastructure projects of Third District Rep. Fernando Gonzalez.

For many years, villagers going to the town center had to wade through knee-deep waters of the river or take a boat when the water level is 1.5 meters deep. Their difficulty in traveling has prompted Gonzalez to come up with the footbridge project.

The new bridge “shall be a safe and convenient path for pedestrians, most especially students going to school and motorcycle riders when the river tide is high,” the lawmaker said.

Gonzalez said residents would be able to facilitate the effective and efficient transportation of agricultural products from the village. Most of them depend on fishing and farming for their livelihood.

Oscar de la Cruz, 70, a resident of the sitio, said the footbridge was the shortest way to the town center.

“As a farmer, making money would be easy for me as my farm produce will be transported easily to the market,” he said.

Before, De la Cruz had to bring his harvest to the market, using his carabao.

For Milagros Relato, 56, the construction of the facility was a clear proof that the government cared for them.

“For many years we always sacrificed as we carried our kids on our backs in order for them not to get wet,” she said.

Pupils Jay Ala, 12, and Vincent Ferrer, 11, used to get wet when going to school and wrap their books and bags with plastic bags.

“Whenever we go to school and return to our home, we always get wet in crossing the river. Once we reach the other side of the river, we change our school uniform,” Ala said.

Ferrer said that with the hanging bridge, his fear of crossing the river disappeared.