CATARMAN, Northern Samar– Gebulwanganons dream turned into reality after the Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar 1st DEO finally completed the construction of a new concrete bridge-putting an end to years of transportation woes and dangerous crossings.
Replacing the old, weather-worn wooden bridge structure, the project involved the construction of a concrete road and a three-span Reinforced Concrete Deck Girder (RCDG) bridge with a total length of 45 meters with stone masonry slope protection, and concrete blocks with painting & Steel sheet piles driven as (foundations) that serves as protection from scouring at abutment A and abutment B.
The need for a new bridge stemmed from the frequent destruction of the previous wooden bridge structure during typhoons and periods of heavy rainfall. For years, residents relied on a precarious bridge that often became impassable when the river overflowed. This disrupted not only daily commutes but also the delivery of goods and essential services.
In an interview, Mrs. Ligaya O. Nollan recalled how residents struggled passing through the said wooden bridge specially during bad weather.
“kakuri sadto saam kamutangan,damo nga Barangay an naagi didi,san una gintulayan ine sin kahoy,mao liwat ta nahinabo,nawawakay pagnagdadako an tubig,sige paulit-ulit, paulit-ulit sin paghimo sin tulay,kakuri san pag-agi bisan an mga scooter ngan an mga tawo pag-masulog an tubig sa salog, an mga tawo makuri makatabok. Sa yana,dako an amon pagpasalamat sine nga nahimo na ine nga tulay kay an mga ng-eeskwela ngadto san Polangi diri na makukurian an pagkadto sa eskwelahan.An amon nga produkto deritso na ma-dedeliver sa Catarman sugad san mga lubi,ngan nanbuhay-buhay tikang ngadto sa iba nga lugar duruderitso na,waray na kakuri-kuri kay naimod man niyo an kaupayan nga nahimo sine nga tulay.an mga tawo nga iba ngan mga parag-Habal-habal deretso na an ira pag-biyahe.”
Brgy. Kagawad Rogelio M. Saludario Jr. also recounted the hardships they experienced in repairing the wooden bridge, just so residents from five barangays could safely pass through-especially during bad weather or heavy rains occurred leading the river to overflow.
“Sadto san una san kahoy pa am tulay,dako gud an amon permi perwisyo kun nabaha kay permi iton nawawakay ngan kami nga mga barangay officials sakripisyado liwat pagpa-upay,kay mintras deri pa namon natutulayan, waray nakaka-agi.Yana dako sine an impact didi sa amon barangay ngan san 5 pa nga Barangays sugad san Mabini, Trangue,Quezon,Cag-aguingay & Cagamesarag an mga naagi sine didi.Sanglit dako nga bulig ine sa amon kay deri na makukurian an mga estudyante pag-biyahe,ngan an mga produkto mas malaksi na am pag-deliver labi an am mga lukad, duma ngan iba pa nga mga produkto nga gindadarangadto sa Catarman.”
This completed concrete bridge will not only ensure the smooth flow of people and goods during regular days but also serve as a robust lifeline during times of calamities, facilitating easier access for emergency services. This will also enhance economic activities in the area, benefiting both residents and farmers alike.
The project was implemented under two separate contracts with a combined total cost of P58.4 million.(PR)
