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[av_heading heading=’Hanging bridge to lessen risks for island brgy residents’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY BOY RYAN ZABAL
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Tuesday, April 18, 2017
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Residents of Bakhaw Norte in Kalibo, Aklan currently use wooden rafts to cross the Aklan River to get to and from the island barangay. AKLAN FORUM JOURNAL
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KALIBO, Aklan – A hanging bridge is seen to lessen the risks of crossing the Aklan River for residents of Bakhaw Norte.
Locals have long been waiting for the structure that will connect the island barangay to the town proper.
Bakhaw Norte, an island barangay occupied by more than 2,000 people, is bounded by the Aklan River and Sibuyan Sea.
The local government is putting up the 160-meter hanging bridge (excluding the approaches) with an estimated cost of P18 million, said Engr. Emerson Lachica.
Construction starts early June this year. A P15-million revetment wall will be built, too.
Barangay Captain Maribeth Cual, Mayor William Lachica and Vice Mayor Madeline Regalado led the groundbreaking for the projects recently.
The hanging bridge is structurally capable of accommodating pedestrians and light vehicles.
Cual said the bridge, which will connect Bakhaw Norte and Bakhaw Sur, will make crossing the Aklan River safer, especially for schoolchildren and farmers transporting products to Barangay Poblacion, particularly during heavy rains.
Meanwhile Mayor Lachica said the infrastructure will have a positive impact on the lives of the residents.
“Government services will be made more accessible,” he said, adding that the bridge will “open windows for economic opportunities” in the village.
Currently Bakhaw Norte residents get to and from the village by crossing the Aklan River on board small boats and wooden baesa (balsa, or rafts).
“Crossing the Aklan River becomes difficult when it is flooded, especially during emergencies and at night,” said Cual. “Boat trips are only until 9 p.m.”
The hanging bridge is one of the identified projects under the bottom-up budgeting program of various government agencies. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
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