Seeing barangay officials dumping sand and gravel to flatten the rough road is nothing unusual in Barangay San Enrique-Libas, San Lorenzo, Guimaras.
It was there only way to make the road passable during rainy days. When it rains, it becomes muddy. Passersby from San Enrique and neighboring barangay Gavan have no choice but storm the road.
Barangay Captain Gina Pelada said they have to walk or take a 20-minute motorcycle ride from Barangay San Enrique to the town proper.
When the mud becomes several inches thick, the residents are forced to take the alternative route through Barangay Mantangingi despite its distance. It would take one hour and half walk from San Enrique proper.
“Kon mag-ulan budlay gid kay ang mga produkto tama gid ka challenging nga itransport knowing nga tama ka lutak ang dalan (When it rains, it is really difficult for us to transport the products, knowing that the road gets really muddy), said Pelada.
Students are among those who suffer inconvenience of the rugged road. When it rains, they opt not to wear their school uniforms and shoes in going to school so it won’t get stained by the mud. It would take them 10 to 15- minute walk in the mud before reaching the nearest Fiscal Jose Zambarrano Elementary School.
The need for a concrete and serviceable road was a concern of everyone in the community. Thus, they prioritized the construction of a 260 meter road for Kalahi-CIDSS funding.
“Ginprioritize gid namon ang road concreting para mangin safe kag matawhay man ang adlaw-adlaw nga paglakat kag pag-agi sang mga tawo. Pero kay gamay man lang ang budget kag hindi gid macover ang bilog nga dalan sang amon barangay, ginpili lang namon ang pinakalutakon nga part kada mag-ulan.” (We prioritized the road concreting project to provide safety and convenience in the everyday living of our residents. But since we only have a limited budget which can’t cover the whole barangay road, we only chose the critical areas which gets really muddy during rainy season), said Pelada.
“Ang pagbinuligay lang sang pumuluyo amo gid na ang nangin dako nga factor sa paghimo nga successful ang amon nga project. Kada household may ara gid sang volunteers, (The unity of residents was a great factor in the successful implementation of the project. Each household, provided volunteers), added Pelada.
“Ginapasalamatan gid namon ang Kalahi-CIDSS kay nakadugang gid sila sang pagpa-improve sang amon nga barangay (We really thank Kalahi-CIDSS because they contributed to the improvement of our barangay),” she said.
Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee chairperson Cheril Cezar said the concreting of the portions off San Enrique road was great relief to the residents. “Sang una, maglakat kami kon mag-ulan, pagpuli namon sa amon balay asta sa bukong-bukong ang lao, (Before, when we walked home during rains, the mud is until our ankle).”
With the completion of the concrete road project farmers’ produce, such as bananas, suha, and humay, can now be easily transported to town. The students, who were greatly compromised by the old rough road, can now comfortably walk to school without worrying much on their uniforms and shoes getting dirty with mud. And the residents of the neighboring barangays can now access to a more convenient route going to town.
“Tungod sa pagpa konkreto sang Kalahi-CIDSS sang amon nga dalan, nagnami na gid ang pagpangabuhi sang mga tawo kay nangin mahulas na gid ang pang-adlaw adlaw nga pagsinarayo. Dako gid ang improvement, (Our lives become easier and more convenient because of the Kalahi-CIDSS road project. The improvement is great), said community volunteer Amie Dumadara.
This project road is not just to provide convenience, improve economic state of the people but connects communities. They can now enjoy the travel, may it be going to town or coming home to families. #
#DSWDMayMalasakit
#PatasNaPagtratoSaKomunidad
#MaagapAtMapagkalingangSerbisyo
#SerbisyongWalangPuwangSaKatiwalian
#SamaSamangPagkilosNgMayMalasakit