DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) – The newly-inaugurated Candau-ay-Balugo Bridge near the former city dumpsite has brought convenience and safe passage for motorists and residents near the area.
Seventeen-year old Methusael Kuhay, who is also a resident of Barangay Balugo, said opening this concrete bridge to the public is advantageous for students like him going to Taclobo National High School.
“Mas mapadali ang pag-adto namo sa ekswela. Dili name magtuyok-tuyok sa pikas bridge. Naa nay duol dire (nga agianan). Maka-save mi sa oras, dili pod kalas sa gas, dili na mi ma-late,” Kuhay said.
(Going to school is now faster for us since we don’t have to take a detour to the other bridge. There is now a more accessible route. It will help us save time and gasoline and we will not be late.)
Meanwhile, Brgy. Candau-ay Kagawad Ananias Albina said that crossing the section of Banica River separating the two barangays is now safer because of the new elevated bridge which replaced the old spillway.
“Dako gyud kaayong diperensya. Na-experience nako sa unang panahon hasta kabaynte ko maglabang-labang aning taytayana kay ga-drive ko passenger jeepney. Na-experience nako ni magbaha ni, modako pa ni siya (ang suba) so dili mi moag. Motuyok pa mi sa pikas nga taytayan. Karon hapsay na ang taytayan,” Albina said.
(There is a big difference before and now. I used to cross this part of the river before when I used to drive a passenger jeepney and I’ve experience times where the water level would rise and we couldn’t cross it so we have to make a detour and take the other bridge. The bridge is now okay.)
Kuhay and Albina were among the residents of the two barangays who joined the opening of the said bridge on March 27.
Officials from the City Government of Dumaguete led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the bridge while Rev. Fr. Fidel Tinaya officiated the blessing of the new passageway.
In a statement, the City Public Information Office (CPIO) said this is the fourth major bridge construction project of the city government.
“This replaces the old spillway and guarantees that motorists and residents can now safely pass through this part of the Banica River even during bad weather or the surge of flood waters as well as minimize traffic congestion,” the City PIO said.
The city government has set aside P32 million for this project. (RAL/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
