Albay Third District hanging bridges: connecting sitios and barangays towards development

Pathways not only bring communities closer but serve as a foundation for economic development. Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez is making continuous efforts in bringing the communities in the Third District of Albay closer towards a better standard of living.

With Congressman Gonzalez’ effort in leading the third district community towards development, the hanging bridges were built to provide people with safer and more convenient routes.  Read what people have to say about the hanging bridges built in the different communities of Third District.

Minto, Guinobatan

The hanging bridge at Minto, Guinobatan created a convenient path for people to cross the river and transport goods such as rice products. Oscar Arnesto, a resident of Camalig and tricycle driver for 38 years is thankful for having the hanging bridge where most of his passengers walk through. Before the bridge was built, people take the longer routes to reach the other side or decide not to visit at all. “Wala, hanggang dito lang kami kasi walang tulay [None, there’s no bridge so we stop here],” said Arnesto when asked about the route they take before the bridge was built.

Juanito Cabales, 39, from Minto Guinobatan
 now enjoys walking across the hanging
 bridge despite his kidney problem.

Juanito Cabales, 39 years old from Minto, Guinobatan is also thankful when the hanging bridge replaced the old bridge made out of a Coconut tree which they rarely use. Cabales was also diagnosed with a kidney problem and crossing the old bridge was a challenge for him. 

His children also face the struggle of walking through the old bridge. At times, they use the rail bridge instead of the wooden bridge. “Yung mga anak ko nakakaawa naman, kung saan-saan humahanap ng daan para makapunta lang sa eskwelahan [I feel pity for my children. They search for routes everywhere just to attend to school],” said Cabales explaining the efforts his children go through when going to school. “Dati kung saan-saan kami dumadaan. Dinadaanan namin yung tulay na riles talaga…nakakatakot sa mga bata. So ngayon, okay na. Komportable na kami kahit gabi [We look for possible routes everywhere. We cross the rail bridge…which is too dangerous for the children. Now we’re okay. We’re more comfortable even at night],” added Cabales who repeatedly said “Salamat Cong” for the hanging bridge project.

San Rafael, Guinobatan

Another hanging bridge in Guinobatan interconnects Barangay San Rafael and Poblacion.

Andres Lim Jr. 78, from San Rafael, Guinobatan enjoys 

walking across the hanging bridge every day from 

his house to his office. 

The second hanging bridge in Guinobatan connects Barangay San Rafael and Poblacion. Spotted walking/jogging across the hanging bridge, 78-year old Andres Lim Jr. of San Rafael said that the hanging bridge is the best project of Congressman Gonzalez. He walks everyday from his house to his office at the Municipality of Guinobatan where he works as Supervisor of Street Sweepers and Land Waste Collection. “Araw-araw, morning, afternoon, evening pa kung may time [Everyday, morning, afternoon, even at night when I have time]…This is the best project of the Congressman,” said Mr. Lim.

Before the bridge was constructed Mr. Lim rides the tricycle that takes a longer route. Today, the bridge not only helps him save travel expenses but gives him the opportunity to walk everyday for a healthier life style.

Pinamaniquian, Ligao City

Luis Antionio Tale (left), 33, from Pinamaniquian, 

LigaoCity is a frequent passerby in the 

hanging bridge.

The rising water level in the creek at Pinamaniquian, Ligao City is also the main challenge for Luis Antonio Tale when traveling by foot from Pinamaniquian to Bonga. Before the hanging bridge was constructed, Tale patiently wades into the creek with his wife who also goes to school. “Naga-raket kami idi. Naga-ibaba sa sulong…Minsan nagaluyo kami ni misis, surusungay ko [We go down and wade into the creek…At times, I carry my wife as we cross the creek.],” said Tale explaining how they struggle crossing the creek before the hanging bridge was constructed.

When the water level in the creek gets too high, Tale takes the longer routes through Barangay Tastas to reach the other side and takes almost 30 minutes to reach their destination. With the constructed hanging bridge, their travel time became shorter than it was with longer routes. More importantly, Tale and his wife no longer have to wade into the creek just to get across.

Pinit, Ligao City

After suffering from an injury, Leopoldo Riola, a 65-year old farmer of Pinit, Ligao City is now getting the best out of the hanging bridge at Pinit as it is more convenient and safer to cross. According to Riola, before the hanging bridge was built, they cross the old bridge just few meters above the water level. His left shoulder was injured while he was crossing the bridge and was hit by the strong water current causing him to fall down. Until now his shoulder has not yet fully recovered.  

Aside from Riola, there are residents who also fell down from the old bridge due to the strong water current, according to him.

The hanging bridge is not only safe to walk on but convenient for Riola in carrying his farm products such as vegetables, fruits, and rice crops that he sells in the nearby stores.

Ilaor Norte, Oas

Residents of Ilaor Norte, Oas enjoy walking across

the bridge or stroll in after school.

Jemil Nazarine Acebuche, a Grade 8 student at the Oas Polytechnic High School (OPS), is an is an everyday passerby of the hanging bridge at Ilaor Norte, Oas. Every day, she crosses the bridge when going to school and coming back home, and it only takes two minutes for her to cross the hanging bridge.

Before the bridge was constructed, Jemil takes the other bridge which was originally established as a pathway for vehicles including the heavy ones. It takes five to ten minutes for her to arrive at school using the bridge. 

Jemil not only benefits from using the new hanging bridge but enjoys her time walking and hanging out with her friends after school as they cross the bridge. The hanging bridge is a safer and more convenient path for the people as it was designed exclusively for people to walk on while vehicles are strictly not allowed to cross.

Ilaor Norte Barangay Captain Lilia Rances has made necessary adjustments in maintaining the hanging bridge and keeping the motorcycles from passing through the bridge. She also calls the bridge the “Lovers’ bridge” as they have observed many couples meet and pass by the bridge.

Alnay, Polangui

Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez (right) at the newly constructed hanging bridge in Alnay, Polangui. Visitors later

named the bridge the "Little San Juanico Bridge".

“Little San Juanico Bridge” as visitors call the hanging bridge at Alnay, Polangui, according to Allan C. Alpapara, school head of Alnay Elementary School. The construction of the hanging bridge brought significant developments in the barangay especially at Alnay Elementary School which welcomes passersby at the end of the bridge.

The elementary school had an increased enrollment rate and participation in school activities since the hanging bridge was put up, according to Alpapara. He also observed that more visitors are now dropping by. Another significant development is that the school now holds the District In-Service Training for Teachers (INSET). The hanging bridge has become an attraction. Visitors take photos of the bridge and call it the “Little San Juanico Bridge”.

Alnay Elementary School Head Allan C. 

Alpapara has observed significant 

developments in the school since the 

hanging bridge was put up.

Furthermore, elementary pupils now have a more convenient and safer path with the hanging bridge. “…su mga pupils mi palaog digdi sa eskwelahan komportable na. Bako arug kan dati natitiyaga sa bamboo bridge na temporary. Nailing ni Congressman Gonzalez su sitwasyon kaya kinagan niya kaiyan [Our pupils feel more comfortable going to school now, unlike before when they patiently cross the temporary bamboo bridge. Congressman Gonzalez saw the situation so he put up the bridge],” said Alpapara. 

The farm products are also conveniently being transported to the market through the bridge according to Alpapara and more visitors are coming to check out the place.

With all the bridges built in the communities of the Third District of Albay, people can now enjoy better paths towards a better standard of living. Through the continuous and combined efforts of the people, communities, and local government units, there will be more opportunities in store for the third district community towards development. The best is yet to come!