Under
Construction: Residents call for action on SJDM bridge
Hexter Pagayonan
and Miguel Maghinang
In a day,
tricycle driver, Roldan Gregorio can earn up to 800 pesos, but today,
with the Dulong Bayan-Poblacion closed, his income is halved. This
has been going on for months, like Roldan, jeepney operators and
commuters are also affected by the government's lack of action.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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 awarding the reconstruction of the
bridge which will cost 29 million pesos.
From the former
30 meter bridge the proposed project is to build a shorter 25 meter
pass, he added.
As for the
residents of San Jose del Monte Engr. Nicolas said their office
cannot do anything but ask for their patience until the project is
done.
“ Tulad noong sabi ko kanina pasensyahan muna. Humihingi kami ng
paumanhin dahil pagtapos naman nito luluwag rin naman sila. 180
calendar days kasi ang duration ng complete restructuring ng tulay
kaya it maybe completed November this year.” Nicolas ended.
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