ANTIQUE – The temporary access road across the Paliwan River has become inaccessible due to flooding following intermittent, heavy rains in the province.
Paliwan Bridge – the sole bridge connecting Bugasong and Laua-an towns – collapsed during the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Paeng” on Oct. 29, 2022. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) created a temporary access road under the bridge through rechanneling.
“To all Antiqueños, I ask for patience. Let us not point fingers at anybody who’s at fault anymore. At the moment, we need to do something and think of ways para ma-access ang north and south,” said Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao who personally inspected the Paliwan River on Wednesday morning, May 31.
The local government units (LGUs) of Laua-an and Bugasong deployed small fishing boats to temporarily transport passengers across the river.
The provincial government will shoulder the fare on the fishing boat.
“I’m here to help para ma–libre lang ang aton mga pumoluyo,” said Cadiao.
But if the water does not subside in the next few days and another access road cannot be built yet, passengers will pay the boat fare.
To assure the safety of the passengers, personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Antique Police Provincial Police Office were deployed.
Cadiao said she has been conducting follow-ups with the DPWH-6 and DPWH central office through a letter to Secretary Manuel Bonoan on the repair of the Paliwan Bridge but has yet to receive a response.
“This major access from north to south of the province has always been untouched; gingastohan nila ang channeling kag pagbutang sang tamburong but it cannot withstand. Frustration is the feeling I have now; I have been writing to them to please make our province a priority; now naga-sakripisyo naman ang Antiqueños,” said Cadiao./PN
