ANTIQUE – The temporary access road built in lieu of the broken Paliwan Bridge in Barangay Paliwan, Bugasong, Antique is now passable.
“Yes, it is already passable,” Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao told Panay News on Sunday morning, June 4.
Cadiao said she entrusted the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Antique to come up with guidelines on vehicle restrictions and to put up proper signage at the temporary access road.
The DPWH-Antique constructed another temporary access road by rechanneling and burying four large reinforced pipes after the strong Paliwan River current washed away the first one on May 31. Heavy rainfall brought by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon “Betty” were experienced in the province last week.
The provincial government, together with the local governments of Laua-an and Bugasong, rented fishing boats, which cost P5,000 per day, to accommodate stranded Antiqueños.
Cadiao also requested the DPWH to fast-track the construction of a Bailey Bridge.
“I would press for the expedite of a Bailey Bridge kasi how long would that new bridge be? One year and half? Baka two years pa ‘yan. So, in the meantine nga amo ria kada mag-ulan ne-nerbyusin naman ako nali mag-wash out ang embankment nga gin-obra nila. For now, ang akon ginapangayo sa DPWH unahon ang Bailey Bridge nga i-construct para bisan light vehicles lang or tricycles maaagi didto sa babaw, indi sa dalom sang bridge,” added the governor.
Cadiao disclosed that the P300 million for the construction of the new Paliwan Bridge have been included in the 2023 national budget through the efforts of Sen. Loren Legarda and Rep. Antonio Agapito Legarda.
Paliwan Bridge connected the towns of Laua-an and the rest of northern Antique with Bugasong and the southern part of the province. It collapsed during the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Paeng” on Oct. 29, 2022./PN
