Ada destroys bamboo bridge in Manito, Albay

The bamboo bridge connecting the poblacion area of Barangay It-ba and Barangay Kawit in Manito, Albay was not spared from Tropical Storm Ada’s wrath.

According to Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, about 20 meters of the bridge was damaged.

A resident said tree logs washed down from the mountain destroyed the structure.

“Yung bagyo na dumaan, malakas yung baha dito kaya inanod ng mga kahoy na nakaharang sa ilalim, kaya nagiba ’yan,” said Rexy Daing.

(When the storm passed, the flooding was so strong that logs trapped underneath were swept away, causing the bridge to collapse.)

For now, residents have to take a boat to travel to the poblacion and back to Barangay Kawit, paying P5 per trip. Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard Manito substation are monitoring the safety of boat passengers.

With the bridge now unusable, students returning to school on Monday are expected to face difficulties.

“Mahirap, ang mga estudyante kapag nagtatawid, maalon po, tapos mahangin,” said Anabel Tamo.

(It’s difficult for students to cross because the water is choppy and the winds are strong.)

A hanging bridge in the town was also damaged during the pandemic but has yet to be repaired.

“Sabi may budget na daw, sana magawa na ngayong taon na ito,” Daing said.

(They said the budget is already available. I hope it gets fixed this year.)

Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Arizapa said efforts are now underway to repair the bridges, noting that P140 million will be allocated for the work.

The Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office said that more than 11,000 residents who evacuated due to Ada have already returned to their homes. Among them are residents of Barangay Maninila in Guinobatan, who remain on alert due to unrest at Mayon Volcano.

Barangay Maninila is now accessible after repairs were completed on the Maninila–Masarawag Channel road, which had been affected by lahar flows triggered by rains from Ada.

Low-lying areas in Oas remain flooded, prompting the evacuation of 38 families.

Meanwhile, some residents in Virac, Catanduanes were rescued due to flooding.

Flooding and landslides were also reported in Sorsogon.

— Vince Angelo Ferreras