GMA Kapuso Foundation Turns Over Second Hanging Bridge to the Community | GMANetwork.com - Foundation - Articles

GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) turns over to a grateful community, its second all steel and concrete bridge under its ‘Kapuso Tulay Para Sa Kaunlaran’ (Bridge for Progress) project  last May 16 at Barangay San Ramon in Buhi, Camarines Sur.

GMA Kapuso Foundation Turns Over Second Hanging Bridge to the Community

May 21 2018

By GMA KAPUSO FOUNDATION

This developmental infrastructure project was made possible with the help of GMAKF’s generous partners: Republic Cement, Equator Energy ( solar powered lamps ), Steel Asia, the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Education (DepED) and the local government of Buhi, Camarines Sur.

The inauguration was attended by GMAKF’s Founder and Ambassador Mel Tiangco, GMAKF’s EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog, Republic Cement President Renato Sunico, Equator Energy CEO and President Engr. Bernardo Fabula, Steel Asia President Atty. Adrian Cristobal, Jr., AFP Southern Luzon Commander Lt. Gen. Danilo Pamonag, local DPWH officials, Municipal Mayor of Buhi Margarita Aguinillo, San Ramon Barangay Captain Hon. Aurelio Cederia and San Ramon Barangay Councilor  Hon. Nimfa Alina. 

The 100 meter bridge is made of concrete and steel and aims to improve the area’s economic prospects by connecting this mostly indigenous community to nearby learning and market centers. One of the Kapuso bridge’s unique features is its expanded metal mesh decking. When the water level of the lake rises, the material used on the deck will allow water to pass through it. It is typhoon resistant and it is built to keep side sway movement from winds to a minimum. Solar lamps are also installed on the bridge. These automatically light up when night falls so residents can safely cross the bridge, especially in the event of a future need for evacuation during typhoons.

The Kapuso bridge serves the community of Barangay San Ramon, Buhi, Camarines Sur with its current population of 1,532 (2010 Census of Population and Housing). It replaced the old, narrow and wobbly wooden bridge. Farmers, motorcycles, carabaos and pedestrians can now use the Kapuso bridge to safely transport their root crops, coconuts rice grain, hemp and other locally produced agricultural products to the bigger markets in Iriga city. Residents of the community used to pay 600 pesos per trip via balsa or wooden rafts. Now, they save on transport costs and can sell more of their products in a shorter period of time.

To date, two steel and concrete hanging bridges have already been built by GMAKF in the municipality of Buhi in the province of Camarines Sur which was devastated by Typhoon Nina back in 2016. The first bridge measures 30 meters and is located in nearby Barangay Iraya. It was turned over to the community last October 20, 2017.

Support GMA Kapuso Foundation’s ‘Kapuso, Tulay Para Sa Kaunlaran’ Project! GMAKF accepts much needed monetary donations, in cash or check at the GMAKF Office, 2nd Floor GMA Kapuso Center, GMA Network Driver cor. Samar Street in Quezon City. You may also deposit in GMAKF bank accounts in Metrobank, BDO, PNB and UCPB. For more inquiries, you may contact GMAKF at gmaf@gmanetwork.com or (02) 9289351/9284299.

 

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