Iloilo’s Oyungan Bridge now passable to light vehicles
Light vehicles are now allowed to pass the Oyungan Bailey bridge in Iloilo province’s Miagao town, following a successful dry run that was conducted on Monday, November 14.
Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Broderick Train, in an interview, said light vehicles such as cars and pickups are allowed to pass by the bridge.
However, passengers of big public transportation like buses are asked to disembark before the vehicle is allowed to pass. The passengers will again board at the other side of the bridge.
The Bailey bridge was temporarily constructed after the permanent bridge was rendered impassable due to damage it incurred due to Tropical Storm “Paeng.”
Meanwhile, a bamboo bridge was also constructed in lieu of the damaged Paliwan Bridge connecting Antique’s towns of Laua-an and Bugasong.
Train said the municipal disaster risk reduction officers of Bugasong and Laua-an were advised to come up with a network so that there will be early warning for commuters walking over the bamboo bridge or vehicles crossing the Paliwan River to prevent a possible drowning incident.
“We appeal to the residents of the upstream barangays Yapo and Igsoro in Bugasong to immediately inform their Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, once there is heavy rain or possible flash flood that would happen,” he said.
“Paeng” has caused damage to Oyungan and Paliwan bridges in Iloilo and Antique, respectively, thus cutting transportation access to the southern part of Antique from Iloilo province and from the northern part of Antique, which is adjacent to Aklan province.