SADANGA, Mountain Province (PIA) -- New opportunities and essential services have opened up for residents of the town of Sadanga in the Mountain Province with the completion and inauguration of the Betwagan Bridge.

Officials from the Mountain Province First District Engineering Office, the provincial government, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), Office of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog Jr., and Sadanga officials led the inauguration of the bridge on February 16.

The bridge measuring five meters wide and 60 meters long improves mobility, and allows easier access of residents to basic goods and services, and transport of agricultural products to and from Barangay Betwagan and neighboring areas.

Funded under the General Appropriations Act of 2022 and 2023, and implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways, this bridge not only spans physical gaps but also represents a gateway to new opportunities, services, and prosperity for the community.

OPAPRU Assistant Secretary Andres S. Aguinaldo Jr., who represented Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. as the guest of honor, and Leo Palo III from the Office of Sen. Go underscored the importance of the bridge as a pivotal step towards enhancing the social and economic well-being of the people of Sadanga.

“Now completed and ready for use, this bridge is without a doubt, a symbol of resilience and prosperity. It aims to boost the socio-economic conditions of communities in this area and create a ripple effect that will be felt across the region,” Aguinaldo said.

“Ang Betwagan Bridge ay hindi lamang isang impraktrastura; ito ay isang daan patungo sa mas maraming oportunidad. Oportunidad para sa ating mga magsasaka na mas madaling maiparating ang kanilang mga produkto sa merkado, oportunidad para sa ating mga estudyante na mas mapabilis ang kanilang paglalakbay sa eskwelahan, at oportunidad para sa bawat isa na mas mapadali ang paglalakbay at komunikasyon sa loob at labas ng inyong probinsya,” Palo said.

[The Betwagan Bridge is not just an infrastructure; it is a way for new opportunities. Opportunity for our farmers to easily bring their products to the market, opportunity for our students to reach their schools faster, and opportunity for everyone for easier travel and communication in and outside the province.]

The dream of the Sadanga people to have a bridge primarily to ease travel took a long time before it was realized through the concerted efforts of many agencies and people. The initiative started in 2012.

Sadanga Mayor Adolf Ganggangan shared that despite the many challenges, the bridge is now a reality that would usher in development to the community.

“Many years ago, this place was displaced, it caused people’s revolt, it triggered the people’s revolution against the impending project that was meant to bring electricity. Now, we are celebrating the inauguration of a development supported by the people, which will also deliver, and open development in our place,” he said.

Betwagan Punong Barangay Benedict F. Sid-ay expressed gratitude for the project, which is a big help to the community.

“Ang mga tao o beneficiaries ay hindi na kailangang umakyat sa matarik na daan bago makasakay sa national road sa itaas. Ang proyektong ito ay magsisilbing tulay at tunay na pagbabago para sa ating lahat,” he said.

[The residents will no longer have to walk the difficult terrain to take a ride at the national road. This project serves as a bridge for real change.]

Also sharing their messages were Dalog, Provincial Administrator Franklin Odsey, and DPWH-1st MPFDEO Assistant District Engineer Esther Taynec.

The inauguration was also attended by OPAPRU Assistant Secretary Cesar De Mesa, OPAPRU consultants Thomas Killip and Cameron Odsey, other officials, and the community members.

Residents are thankful for this milestone in their community.

"Dakkel din tulong nan nay rangtay, it serves a ruangan ti progreso ken pagsayaatan ti umili. Adayo ay nalaklaka, mayat ay mencomcommute ta masapa ta ay dumanon sinan mabalin ay umayan, adayo nan nalukatan na tay inmasideg sinan ili,”Rigo Sayyaan, a resident of Betwagan said.

(This bridge is a huge help,  it serves as a door for progress and development of the community. It is way easier for us to commute, we can get early to places that we need to go. The community is now more accessible.) Rigo Sayyaan, a resident of Betwagan said.

"The completion of the Betwagan bridge is very beneficial for us. As a student studying in Bontoc, it is easier for us to go home  to get our 'baon na bigas', and  conveniently  without carrying such weight for an hour or more if we carry heavy cargo,” Emily Ngarad said. (JDP/CVBT-PIA Mountain Province)