HAGONOY, Bulacan, Philippines – Fearing the safety of school children crossing it, residents of Calumpit and Hagonoy towns want a major repair of the more than 30-year-old hanging bridge linking their villages.
Spanning the Labangan Channel, the hanging bridge, built in 1977 with a length of 142 linear meters, suffered yet another damage a week ago, when the wooden girder in its middle snapped, leaving a 10-foot stretch hanging. It was the third such incident since typhoon “Pedring†in 2011.
Late last year, the provincial government did a minor repair on the bridge, but residents insist it was not enough.
“It needs a major repair to ensure the safety of residents, especially school children,†said Soledad Santos, councilwoman of Barangay Iba here.
Workers of the United Pulp and Paper Corp. also find the bridge a shorter route going to work or returning home.
For his part, village chief Celerino Fajardo said, “We don’t have enough funds that’s why we requested for a major repair after the 2011 flood.â€
Now Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado and public works officials are vowing to repair the hanging bridge again, saying though a concrete and permanent one seems to be the solution.
Alvarado promised to send a team to assess the damage to the bridge. For his part though, public works engineer Ruel Angeles said they would still look for funds for the major repair.