STEEL HANGING BRIDGE. Himamaylan City Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon (left) checks out the newly-constructed steel hanging bridge at Sitio Cabagal, Barangay Buenavista after the inauguration and blessing on Wednesday (October 24, 2018). (Photo courtesy of 3rd Civil Military Operations Battalion)
BACOLOD CITY -- Residents of the far-flung barangay of Buenavista in Himamaylan City will now have easier access from and to their village following the completion of a steel hanging bridge in their community.
The PHP2.3-million bridge project, built by the 542nd Engineer Construction Battalion (542nd ECB) with funding from the local government unit, was turned over to barangay officials by the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade headed by Col. Alberto Desoyo and the city government, led by Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon, on Wednesday.
Bascon and his mother, Vice Mayor Carminia Bascon, who both attended the inauguration and blessing of the bridge project, expressed their appreciation to the 542nd ECB for their significant contribution to Himamaylan City.
“We are thankful to the 542nd ECB. This is the fourth time they have built a steel hanging bridge in Himamaylan City,” the officials said.
The 80-meter bridge, mainly located in Sitio Cabagal, connects four other sitios in the village, including Malo, Palay, Vito and Universal, whose residents mainly rely on farming for livelihood.
The bridge was constructed since residents, including schoolchildren, would often get stranded during rainy days when the water level rises, preventing them from crossing the river.
Most of the residents of Barangay Buenavista, located about 10 kilometers from the city proper, earn a living from planting sugarcane, corn, rice and vegetables.
The project, which started in July, is expected to be completed in November yet, but the turn-over was held ahead of schedule.
Officials of Barangy Buenavista, headed by village chairman Harry Niggins, received the project after the blessing rites officiated by Rev. Fr. Jose Gerson Te-ad.
The turn-over rites was also witnessed by Lt. Col. Meliton Reyes, commanding officer of 542nd ECB; Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, commanding officer of 62nd Infantry Battalion; and Major Udgie Villan, acting commanding officer of the 3rd Civil Military Operations Battalion. (PNA)
