Opapru Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Aug. 1, 2025, visited Barangay Pisompongan in Midsalip city, Zamboanga del Sur—the realm the place President FerdindandMarcos Jr. promised in his SONA to construct a bridge so that faculty kids would not must wade by a raging river throughout storms. Galvez is joined by Division of Public Works and Highways 1st District Engineer Pablo Escuadro and former Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu. Photographs by Leah Agonoy.
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Four days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed in his State of the Nation Handle (Sona) that the federal government would assemble a bridge in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur, the Workplace of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru) led the groundbreaking of a concrete construction geared toward offering safer entry to highschool for youngsters in a flood-prone village.
Throughout his Sona, Marcos expressed concern for pupils seen crossing raging river waters in Barangay Pisompongan on the peak of flooding introduced by the southwest monsoon final month. He pledged to make sure that funds can be allotted for the development of a brand new bridge.
Opapru Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. led the groundbreaking of the P60-million bridge challenge in Barangay Pisompongan, Midsalip, on Friday, August 1. He stated the funds, which can come from Opapru’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) program, will likely be launched earlier than the tip of the month.
Galvez stated the challenge is predicted to be accomplished inside 4 to 6 months. A further P50 million has additionally been allotted for 2 extra bridge tasks he handed on the best way to Pisompongan, in addition to for street sections in want of concreting.
READ: Zambo del Sur gov welcomes Opapru funding for bridge in distant village
Zamboanga del Sur Governor Divina Grace Yu earlier advised the Inquirer that the provincial authorities deliberate to offer preliminary funding for the bridge. This was earlier than Opapru confirmed it might embrace the challenge on this 12 months’s Pamana funding.
Opapru Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Aug. 1, 2025, visited Barangay Pisompongan in Midsalip city, Zamboanga del Sur—the realm the place President FerdindandMarcos Jr. promised in his SONA to construct a bridge so that faculty kids would not must wade by a raging river throughout storms. Galvez is joined by Division of Public Works and Highways 1st District Engineer Pablo Escuadro and former Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu. Photographs by Leah Agonoy.
The necessity to assemble a bridge in Pisompongan, a village about 20 kilometers from the Midsalip city correct, first drew consideration after Gideon Goc-ong, principal of Pisompongan Built-in Faculty, posted a video on social media displaying faculty kids and lecturers crossing a river amid robust currents and rising waters introduced by heavy monsoon rains.
The video went viral, prompting a response from each native and nationwide authorities.
Goc-ong stated he was “deeply moved and grateful” that Marcos had taken discover of the proposed bridge.
He stated it was “not only a win for infrastructure but in addition a victory for the youngsters, the mother and father and the way forward for Midsalip city.”
“That straightforward video was a cry for assist, and in the present day, that cry was lastly acknowledged on the highest degree,” he added.
Subanen Indigenous Peoples chief Timuay Armando Gawaling stated that apart from Barangay Pisompongan, residents from close by villages—together with Barangays Pili, Balunay, Dacayacan, and Piwan—would additionally profit from the brand new bridge.
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“It will likely be simpler for everyone to cross these rivers, particularly on wet days,” he added./mcm
