SANTA MARCELA, Apayao – After its construction, the 45.6 meter Lawigan Uni-Bridge at Barangay Marcela, Santa Marcela called Tulay Ng Pangulo Para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo has served about 287 Agrarian Reform beneficiaries and generated 526 jobs.
A site visit and assessment showed that the PhP26,799,949.92 bridge whose proposal was approved by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Central Office with the push of Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr. and Mayor Evelyn B. Martinez indeed impacted the lives of residents in the surrounding communities.
The project was funded under the President’s Bridge Program Office through the Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office (FASPO) of DAR and has built 107 bridges in the countryside for 2021 alone.
Barangay Captain Michael Morales during an interview with the provincial Public Information Office related that before the bridge was there, residents had difficulty transporting their products which would worsen during rainy days especially when kids go to school and have to cross the river.
“Idi marigatan kami nga mangiruar kadagiti produkto mi, dagiti ubbing nga mapan eskwelahan ket masapol nga bagkaten pay dagiti nagannak nu sumrek da idi eskwela,” explained Morales who expressed gratefulness for the construction of the bridge admitting without it, it would have not been easy for the people.
“Agyaman kami iti gobyerno tayo ta napa adda daytuy nga tulay ng Pangulo nga mangpanam-ay iti biag kadagiti kabaranggayan tayo dituy Barangay Marcela saan laeng nga dagiti ARB’S ket adu ti mabenipisyaran na,” added Morales.
The barangay captain said he is certain that more development will follow in the barangay as it shall increase the economic activity and allow farmers to market their products uplifting their quality of life.
“Sapay kuma ta iyad-adu yu pay ti ited yu nga proyekto tapnu kasta ket makita yun to nu kasanu nga agrang-ay daytuy nga komunidad babaen ti tulong yu, Agyaman kami unay. Agbiag ti mannalon,” Morales concluded. By PIO Apayao
