Laughter fills the air as a dozen men tighten the grip of ropes that hold every log of bamboo.
A man cracks jokes as they go about making an improvised bridge for residents in an isolated Mangyan community in Oriental Mindoro.
It would be their second replacement this year and their nth for many years now.
The bamboo bridge that stands over Bongabong River links Sitio Atoy in Barangay Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro to the town proper. For many years now, it serves as the only way to get into the town’s school and marketplace.
Six years ago, the community of Mangyan in Sitio Atoy rejoiced when it learned that a permanent bridge would be constructed.
The celebration was short-lived, however. Three months after the announcement was made, the plan was abandoned.
“Noong tinatayo na po siya, marami pong natuwa pero nung tumigil nadismaya po sila,” Joen Eustaquio, a resident of Barangay Lisap, said.
Eustaquio, who lives on the other side of the river, has bear witness to the suffering of the Mangyan tribe on the far side of their town.
“Kasi, ma’am natatandaan ko pa po nung bata pa ako, ‘yong kawayang tulay lang po dinadaan namin dito kapag pupunta po kami sa Sitio ng mga Mangyan,” said the 28-year-old Eustaquio.
When the river overflows, Eustaquio describes it as wide lake making it impossible for anyone to cross it. On summers, it is only waist-deep.
“Dahil sa malakas po ang tubig sa ilog at mapanganib sa mga batang estudyante, gumawa po kami ng tulay na kawayan pansamantala pero kapag bumaha at nasira ang ginawang tulay gagawa na ulit ng panibago,” he said.
There are around 40 families living in Sitio Atoy, many of them students and workers who have to cross the river through the bridge to get to their destinations every day. For farmers, it’s their only way to get their produce like banana and kamoteng kahoy sold.
Last Monday, Eustaquio and 10 other men from their village built their latest 20-meter long bamboo bridge and thought that maybe filming his companions while building it can create a little miracle. He then posted it on Facebook.
“I am not in a position to report this to the provincial office,” he said. “By posting it on social media, I hope to get help for my fellows here.”
“Wala po kaming idea kung bakit hindi po natuloy ang hanging bridge,” he added.
Only the foundation of what was supposed to be a concrete bridge is visible. The faded yellow-painted structure is now covered by grass and bamboos.
Residents could not raise the matter to authorities because the nearest government office is about 27 kilometers from their barangay, according to Eustaquio.
Without anyone to turn to, residents had to make do with the bamboo bridge that they build and re-build four to five times a year.
The proposed bridge can only be built by the local government, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) whose mandate applies only to national bridges.
By taking to social media, Eustaquio and the Mangyan tribe in Sitio Atoy are hoping that their situation will be addressed by authorities.
“Mapanganib po ito, ma’am para sa residente dito kasi hindi naman po nila alam ang bagsik ng kalikasan. Kapag bumaha at malakas ang ilog masira ang tulay wala po silang mabibilhan ng pagkain,” lamented Eustaquio. (Betheena Unite)
