Residents of Barangay Capucnasan, Milaor are frustrated by the closure of a road near the railway tracks, which they relied on as a shortcut to Naga City.
The closed portion of the road in Barangay Capucnasan served as a shortcut for residents heading to Almeda Highway in Naga City.
The road has been part of the Philippine National Railway's (PNR) designated danger zone, leading to its closure for safety reasons.
People and vehicles are no longer allowed to pass through.
Norberto Mendoza, a motorist, said the path to work is now farther. He sees it as a waste of gas.
"Harani, kaysa Dalipay, harayuon na maray; sayang man kang gasolina," Mendoza said.
Residents, including those with health emergencies, find the closure troubling.
"Mahirap po. Kasi kapag may emergency, dae man sa hinahagad, kaipuhan open talaga iyan para sa madaling pagbiyahe na makaabot ning hospital," Milagros Cano, a resident, said.
The barangay council is aware of the inconvenience, especially for dialysis patients and emergency response teams, whose location is far from the town center of Milaor.
Barangay Councilman Nilo Cayonte appealed for consideration from the PNR.
Cayonte said they are willing to meet and discuss what protections are needed to preserve their property.
"And willing po an mga taga barangay na magtukaw, asin i-discuss kun ano an mga pwedengir na proteksyon para ma-preserve ang saindang property. And willing kaming mag-augment kan saindang mga personahe," he said.
Engr. Jaypee Relleve from PNR's Engineering Department said the road was closed in 2016 due to safety issues.
Relleve explained that they set clearances where no vehicles should be in danger of being hit.
"May inaapod kitang ‘dynamic envelope’ kang train. Ta itong movement kang train habang nagdadalagan, igwa kitang clearances na sine-set diyan na dapat mayong vehicles o ano pa man nab aka masabitan kang train. Kaya iyan sinara ta delikado," he said.
In the coming months, PNR plans to increase the frequency of trips between Naga and Legazpi.
Road closures within PNR’s danger zones are aimed to prevent accidents.
