The Gap built by the broken bridge of San Jose Del Monte
Hexter Pagayonan and Miguel Maghinang
Built in 1974 the Dulong Bayan- Poblacion bridge has been in service to the community for 44 years. And on February 12, 2018 the loacal government of San Jose Del Monte has officially declared the bridge unpassable because of the huge cracks and damage.
(walkthrough video)
For 44 years the bridge has not undergone any kind of strengthening program. The engineering office of Bulacan found no reason to since the bridge’s weight limit was only 15 tons.
However, unknown to them dump trucks and other industrial sized machineries regularly pass the bridge.
Roldan Gregorio, 32 years old has lived near the bridge for 18 years and now works as a tricycle driver, he witnessed how the weight limit for the vehicles are ignored on a regular basis.
“10-15 tons lang dapat ang nakakaraan diyan pero yong mga trailer umaabot ng 60 tons nakakaraan diyan. Matanda na yong tulay mahina nay an, lalo na kapag traffic napaparada yong mga truck diyan.”
(video interview with Roldan Gregorio)
According to the resident’s claim, the bridge finally broke when a trailer carrying electric posts passed through the bridge.
Under the bridge, wide cracks and visible metal columns are now visible, the cement and covering gone.
With the bridge closed, the usual route taken by commuters is no more. Tricycle drivers and jeepneys operators are also affected since they now have to travel around 3 kilometers for 15 minutes to reach the other barangay which only took 5-10 minutes when the bridge was accessible.
Commuters from Kaypian, and Dulong Bayan now take the alternate route to reach Poblacion and the town proper.
“Ang hirap na bumiyahe. Kahit may sarili kang saksakyan or mag cocommute sobrang abala, bukod sa malayo maalikabok sya [alternate route]. Isa pa, malayo nga pero pag magko-commute ka same lang yung pamasahe, lugi yung jeep.” Shared Jessica Pantalion, English teacher of San Jose National High School.
(Graphic representation of the alternate route and the schools and commercial areas)
While the alternate route is longer than the usual route, jeepneys drivers still charge the same 13 pesos from the town proper to Kaypian, Sampol, and dulong Bayan.
“Sa ngayon mahirap talaga biyahe imbis na madagdagan kami ng pasahero nadagdagan kami ng gastos sa gasolina. Sabi nga namin dagdagan pamasahe, pero hindi pwede hanggang walang taripa mula sa munisipyo. Sila dapat mauna magbigay non[taripa].” Shared Ryms Santiago,59 years old, jeepney driver.
He also added that the local government should start repairing the bridge to ease everyone’s lives.
“Hindi na dapat kami mag-paalam sa kanila [na ayusin yong tulay] dahil alam na naman nila yon, mararamdaman naman nila yon dahil sa hirap ng buhay, lalo na ngayon taas ng gasoline natin.” Santiago remarked.
As for the Municipal of San Jose Del Monte, they said they have done their part and has filed reports to the Provincial Government to replace the damaged bridge as it has been months since it has become operational.
( Filler videos to the alternate route and the municipal and engineering office)
Engr. Roland L. Nicolas, the head of Planning and Development for the province of Bulacan said they have sent people to inspect the bridge and have documented the damage.
He also said that on June 2018 the provincial government’s Awards and bidding committee will have finished bidding for the reconstruction of the bridge which will cost 29 million pesos.
(cue video interview with Engr. Roland)
From the former 30 meter bridge the proposed project is to build a shorter pass, 25 meters.
For the residents of San Jose del Monte, they will have to endure the hassle and inconvenience as the reconstruction of the bridge is assumed to take 6 months with the target completion on November this year.
Hexter Pagayonan and Miguel Maghinang
Built in 1974 the Dulong Bayan- Poblacion bridge has been in service to the community for 44 years. And on February 12, 2018 the loacal government of San Jose Del Monte has officially declared the bridge unpassable because of the huge cracks and damage.
(walkthrough video)
For 44 years the bridge has not undergone any kind of strengthening program. The engineering office of Bulacan found no reason to since the bridge’s weight limit was only 15 tons.
However, unknown to them dump trucks and other industrial sized machineries regularly pass the bridge.
Roldan Gregorio, 32 years old has lived near the bridge for 18 years and now works as a tricycle driver, he witnessed how the weight limit for the vehicles are ignored on a regular basis.
“10-15 tons lang dapat ang nakakaraan diyan pero yong mga trailer umaabot ng 60 tons nakakaraan diyan. Matanda na yong tulay mahina nay an, lalo na kapag traffic napaparada yong mga truck diyan.”
(video interview with Roldan Gregorio)
According to the resident’s claim, the bridge finally broke when a trailer carrying electric posts passed through the bridge.
Under the bridge, wide cracks and visible metal columns are now visible, the cement and covering gone.
With the bridge closed, the usual route taken by commuters is no more. Tricycle drivers and jeepneys operators are also affected since they now have to travel around 3 kilometers for 15 minutes to reach the other barangay which only took 5-10 minutes when the bridge was accessible.
Commuters from Kaypian, and Dulong Bayan now take the alternate route to reach Poblacion and the town proper.
“Ang hirap na bumiyahe. Kahit may sarili kang saksakyan or mag cocommute sobrang abala, bukod sa malayo maalikabok sya [alternate route]. Isa pa, malayo nga pero pag magko-commute ka same lang yung pamasahe, lugi yung jeep.” Shared Jessica Pantalion, English teacher of San Jose National High School.
(Graphic representation of the alternate route and the schools and commercial areas)
While the alternate route is longer than the usual route, jeepneys drivers still charge the same 13 pesos from the town proper to Kaypian, Sampol, and dulong Bayan.
“Sa ngayon mahirap talaga biyahe imbis na madagdagan kami ng pasahero nadagdagan kami ng gastos sa gasolina. Sabi nga namin dagdagan pamasahe, pero hindi pwede hanggang walang taripa mula sa munisipyo. Sila dapat mauna magbigay non[taripa].” Shared Ryms Santiago,59 years old, jeepney driver.
He also added that the local government should start repairing the bridge to ease everyone’s lives.
“Hindi na dapat kami mag-paalam sa kanila [na ayusin yong tulay] dahil alam na naman nila yon, mararamdaman naman nila yon dahil sa hirap ng buhay, lalo na ngayon taas ng gasoline natin.” Santiago remarked.
As for the Municipal of San Jose Del Monte, they said they have done their part and has filed reports to the Provincial Government to replace the damaged bridge as it has been months since it has become operational.
( Filler videos to the alternate route and the municipal and engineering office)
Engr. Roland L. Nicolas, the head of Planning and Development for the province of Bulacan said they have sent people to inspect the bridge and have documented the damage.
He also said that on June 2018 the provincial government’s Awards and bidding committee will have finished bidding for the reconstruction of the bridge which will cost 29 million pesos.
(cue video interview with Engr. Roland)
From the former 30 meter bridge the proposed project is to build a shorter pass, 25 meters.
For the residents of San Jose del Monte, they will have to endure the hassle and inconvenience as the reconstruction of the bridge is assumed to take 6 months with the target completion on November this year.
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