The Provincial Government of Davao del Norte delivered two motorized boats to residents of Sitio Kasilak, Barangay Sagayen in Asuncion town after a video of students risking their lives to cross a river in the area went viral online.

The boats serve as an immediate solution to ease the daily struggle of residents who previously relied on boats without outriggers. At times, students were even forced to use a “zipline” just to avoid missing school.

Governor Edwin Jubahib said the boats were bought using his personal funds since waiting for the Capitol’s procurement process would take time.

Life jackets were also provided to ensure residents’ safety whenever they cross the river.

The town mayor said the local government lacks funds to build a bridge.

Mayor Rosario Dayaday said they already requested assistance from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), but the agency is reportedly unlikely to invest millions of pesos for a small number of residents.

Dayaday said a bridge project may not be prioritized if the number of residents are fewer than 200 and the government would need to spend around P300 million.

“The administration requested the DP(WH) pero ang DP(WH) di mag invest ng half  billion for few residents if less than 200 ang gagamit and then the government will spend 300 million parang hindi siya magiging priority ang priority nila ay yung mga daan mga tulay na marami talaga ang magbebenefit kasi isang purok lang yon kasi,” Dayaday said.

“Kung naay budget sa barangay amoa na ng gipatulayan ba,” Barangay Chairman Roberto Alcazar added.

Former barangay chairman and now councilman Samson Dacles also raised concerns that the community may be overlooked due to its small population.

He said if project allocation is largely based on the number of constituents, smaller communities like theirs may continue to struggle to secure infrastructure support such as a bridge.

“Basin makaligis ko kung moingon ko basin wala sila nagka-interes, usa man gud sailang basehan matod pa tungod gamay ra daw og populace so kung ingon ana ang tinuod nga diwa sa pag-assist nga makadawat og proyekto ang usa ka kumunidad sa usa ka barangay dili gyud mabutangan og tulay tungod kay gamay ra ang katawhan,” Dacles said.

However, Jubahib ordered the approval of a P15 million budget for the construction of a hanging bridge, along with the start of a road project next week connecting Barangay Sta. Filomena to the sitio.

The governor clarified that he was only recently informed of the situation, as it had not been immediately reported to him.

“Gihunahuna nato, isip amahan sa probinsiya, nga naa tay quick response nga matubag nato dayon ang immediate nga panginahanglan mao nang naka-purchase dayon ta og bangka gikan sa Samal,” Jubahib said.