Residents of remote barangays in the Municipality of Janiuay in Iloilo are full of gratitude for projects implemented through the Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), which provided them safe access and even prevented the loss of lives during bad weather.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited the two bridge projects constructed under the KALAHI-CIDSS on Wednesday afternoon — the 15.05-lineal meter Carigangan Bridge in Barangay Carigangan, and the Kuyot-Calmay Hanging Footbridge in Barangay Kuyot.

Hena Epakta, a community volunteer since 2004, said that before the Carigangan Bridge was constructed, life was very difficult for residents in Barangay Carigangan.

Students, farmers, and residents had to cross the Magapa River through a bamboo hanging bridge to go to school, bring their products to the market, and carry out other activities.

Epakta said they were fortunate to avail of the KALAHI-CIDSS project because they felt safer each time heavy rains occurred in the mountains.

It was damaged by Typhoon Frank in 2008, but was immediately rehabilitated. At the height of the typhoon, a resident held on to the post of the bridge until the flooding subsided, escaping death.

“The bridge is now being enjoyed by our children. We are no longer afraid in case of flooding,” she said.

She added that residents from other barangays, like Panuran, Aglobong, Agkarope, Canawilian, Pangilihan, Pararinga are also benefiting from the project.

Carigangan chief tanod Arnel Tuyo shared the same experience, saying they had to wait for the water to subside to cross the river during his elementary and high school years.

“It was no longer difficult for us to bring products to the market. This bridge is very important for us. We are thankful for this Kalahi project, it is strong and sturdy. It survived several typhoons, including Yolanda,” he said in the vernacular.

National Program Manager Bernadette Mapue-Joaquin said the projects are among the earliest projects of Kalahi-CIDSS, constructed at a time when funding was limited and the community had to provide free labor to complete them.

“We want to showcase na merong mga ganitong mga initiative under DSWD. Although hindi kami infrastructure agency, ang layunin talaga namin is to empower communities na sila mismo ang mag identify ng project and mag implementation nito. Kasi pag sila ang nag identify, sila yung nag implement, nanduon ang ownership and aalagaan talaga nila ang proyekto (We want to showcase this inistiative of the DSWD. Although we are not an infrastructure agency, we aim to empower communities by letting them identify and implement the project. Through this, they have a sense of ownership and they really take care of the project),” she said.

Another project was the Kuyot-Calmay Hanging Footbridge in Barangay Kuyot constructed in 2019.

Ulysses Tamaño, a teacher at Calmay National High School, said the Suage River has been part of their childhood adventure.

Each time the water level river rises, they have the options of swimming or waiting for the water to subside.

Also, they need to bring extra things because they have to swim to cross the river.

“When it rained, we couldn’t go to school for two to three days because it took that long for the water to subside. The bridge has been a blessing to us,” he said.

The bridge serves the nearby barangays of Ubian, Yabon, Kuyot, Calmay, and Caraudan. (PNA)