Antique still cut off from neighbors 2 weeks after Paeng
Government Infrastracture

Antique still cut off from neighbors 2 weeks after "Paeng"

Nov 12, 2022, 8:16 AM
Dhana Garcia

Dhana Garcia

Writer

The government's response is too slow, as Antique struggles to recover from the aftermath of Tropical Storm "Paeng."

Two weeks after Severe Tropical Storm "Paeng" destroyed two major bridges, the province of Antique has remained cut off from its neighboring provinces in Panay Island.

The Paliwan Bridge has yet to be restored by the Department of Public Works and Highways, making transportation of goods and people difficult, if not impossible.

The provincial government had to rely on barges to deliver goods and other supplies, such as fuel, to Antique.

Gov. Rhodora Cadiao said that the situation in the province was not expected to return to normal soon after a section of the Paliwan Bridge collapsed due to rampaging water.

The bridge linked the towns of Laua-an in the north and Bugasong in the south. People could not reach the nearby province of Aklan, which is located north of Antique, without it.

Aside from the Paliwan Bridge, Paeng also damaged the Oyungan Bridge which is Antique’s gateway to Iloilo province through the Iloilo towns of Miag-ao and San Joaquin. Travelers from Miag-ao to Antique may cross the Oyungan Bridge, but only on foot, by bicycle, or by motorcycle as heavy vehicles are not allowed to cross due to the damage.

“Until [all types of] vehicles can pass through Paliwan and Oyungan [bridges], there will never be normalcy here.” Cadiao told the Inquirer.

Currently, three barges ferry fuel and basic commodities from Iloilo City and Iloilo province to Antique on a weekly basis.

Cadiao added that they were renting another barge at the request of business owners in the provincial capital of San Jose de Buenavista. The barge is expected to arrive and be operational on Nov. 13.

Cadiao also said that renting barges was difficult because it required permits from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Philippine Coast Guard, among others.

Gasoline stations that had been closed due to Paeng damage have reopened after the barges arrived with fuel supplies. After consulting with provincial and municipal officials, their owners agreed not to raise their prices to help with the recovery.

A barge tanker would also be brought to the port of San Jose de Buenavista to store fuel and supply smaller gas stations, subject to approval from the Marina, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and other government agencies.

No urgency from govt.

Cadiao mentioned that President Marcos has pledged P350 million to build a new bridge to replace the 48-year-old Paliwan Bridge. However, the President made no mention of the Oyungan Bridge's repair.

Another P178 million would be made available to help the province's farmers. The Provincial Veterinary Office would receive at least P7 million, while the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) had set aside P200 million in sari-sari store packages for typhoon survivors.

Still, the government and a well-known construction and engineering organization, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), had been far too slow in aiding Antique.

Antique has been left behind when it comes to government assistance; the people of Antique province have suffered as a result, especially given how devastating Paeng was to their area.

They have the assistance and resources to assist Antique, but it is insufficient, and there is no sense of urgency.

Meanwhile, the DPWH should inspect Antique's bridges to ensure that its connection to neighboring provinces is not severed.

If both bridges collapse, Antique will be cut off from Iloilo and Panay, and its people will suffer even more.

Tags: #Antique, #Government, #Bridges, #Recovery


We take a stand
OpinYon News logo

Designed and developed by Simmer Studios.

© 2024 OpinYon News. All rights reserved.