DILG Annual Report CY 2015 - LML final

Matibuey Hanging Footbridge in San
Emilio, Ilocos Sur constructed through the
DILG’s Performance Challenge Fund (PCF).
EXPRESS LANE FOR EASIER COMMERCE
Thirty-eight years old farmer Nick G. Jueves, a long-time resident of Barangay Matibuey in the town of
San Emilio in Ilocos Sur province, Region I, recounts the difficulty of farmers like him to tend to their farmland
and livestock whenever they could not cross the swelling Abra River during the rainy season. “We had to wait
for balsa (bamboo raft) to aid us in crossing the rapid current of river,” said Jueves. “The river is deep and the
current is strong especially during typhoon. We could not just take our chances. If there is no balsa, we had to
wait for the storm to die down a little bit,” he added.
Recognizing this dire situation, the Municipal Government of San Emilio set out for the construction of
a hanging footbridge in Barangay Matibuey, utilizing P6M from the municipal coffers together with the P1M
Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) it has received from the DILG for the construction of the 272-meter long
footbridge.
“The footbridge provided an all-weather, 24/7 access to farmers in order for them to visit their rice
fields at the other side of the river. The structure reduced the risks to farmers who need not cross the river
during rainy season,” said Barangay Matibuey Chairman Warlito B. Makey.
San Emilio Mayor Ferdinand A. Banua Sr. added, “It is another breakthrough in the infrastructure
development in the municipality as it does not only benefit the farmers or residents of Barangay Matibuey but
also provides accessibility to the residents of Tubo in our neighbor province Abra.”
Meanwhile, Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson opined, “The hanging footbridge that connects
Sitio Panpaniki and Masiosioay in Barangay Matibuey is symbolic for the town's battlecry, ‘Umakdangka San
Emilio’ which means move or step forward.”
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D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r a n d L o c a l G o v e r n m e n t
ANNUAL REPORT 2015