In several barangays in Zamboanga del Sur, the daily journey of children to school was once marked by danger. For years, many of them had to cross rivers, braving strong currents just to make it to class.
“Minsan kapag pumapasok kami sa paaralan, umuulan, at doon kami nahuhuli kapag bumaha ang ilog. Nababasa kami, at nakakarating kami sa paaralan kung minsan ay basang-basa na. Tapos minsan pag-uwi namin, lumangoy lang kami patawid para makadaan. Nakarating kami sa bahay na basang-basa,” Kimberly Lamonsi, a Grade 9 student, shared to the DSWD’s #Kwento ng Pag-asa at Pagbabago (#KPAP) team.
For Kimberly and many others, education came at the cost of safety.
“Malakas yung agos ng tubig nung tumawid ako, tapos ang iba naman, gaya ng mga tatay, tinutulungan na yung kanilang mga anak at nahihirapan ang mga bata na tumawid,” Prince Noah Maquiling said, recalling the many times his father had to risk his own safety just to help him and other children cross the river.
The stories are the same in other rural parts of Zamboanga del Sur. Children often arrived at school drenched, late, or too exhausted to concentrate in class.
Some, like Shane Louie Maquiling, admitted the fear and anxiety never left them.
“Medyo kinakabahan ako kapag umuulan nang malakas, habang tumatawid kami, biglang tumataas ang tubig. Yung iba halos tangayin. Nagtutulungan lang kami. Yung iba humihinto lang at naghihintay hanggang sa bumaba ang tubig at humina ang ulan,” Shane Louie said.
The members of the communities are aware of this long-standing challenge—one that they themselves wanted solved someday.
“Mayroon kaming experience na yung tumawid sila noong malakas yung tubig ay may namatay kaya gumawa kami ng temporary na bridge pero delikado pa rin,” Myrna Ayupan, a community volunteer from Barangay Lower Timonan in the municipality of Dumingag, told #KPAP.
Through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), villagers found the support they longed for.
The KALAHI-CIDSS uses the community driven development (CDD) approach in empowering poor communities, teaching them to identify their needs and propose for a sub-project responding to their needs.
In Barangay Lower Timonan, parents, farmers, and youth worked together to push for a footbridge. It was not an easy process, but the project was finally completed—a structure that has since become the community’s “bridge of hope.”
“Hindi na kami mangangamba sa tuwing aalis sila para pumasok,” Myrna said.
For Kaisha Mutia, a Grade 10 student, the new bridge changed her daily life. She no longer arrives late or drenched, but instead walks with confidence towards her dream of finishing school.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako, kami, dahil mas napagaan na po yung pagtawid namin, naging safe na po kami sa pagdaan lalo’t hindi na sya naaabot ng tubig. Mas napapadali na po ang pagpunta namin sa paaralan,”
Kaisha shared.
In Barangay Lower Landing, another bridge was built under the DSWD’s KALAHI-CIDSS.
“Dati po kasi, yung tulay namin ay kawayan lang na apat na piraso. Kahit kaming malalaki ay nahihirapan sa pagpatiw. Paano pa kaya yung mga maliliit? Kaya ito ang napili namin na tulay kasi maraming nangangailangan dito: mga bata, buntis, senior citizens. Hindi sila makadaan kapag may baha. Mag-antay pa kami ng ilang oras bago kami makauwi sa bahay,” Elma Casilagan, a resident of Barangay Lower Landing, told the #KPAP team.
In Barangay Pisompongan—once known for a viral video showing children crossing through chest-deep waters—another bridge and a new school building will be built through the KALAHI-CIDSS.
“Kung maitatayo na ang tulay na iyon, talagang magpapasalamat ako dahil hindi na tayo tatawid sa tubig ngayon. At ang lahat ng mga bata sa wakas ay makatawid na nang ligtas gamit ang tulay,” Jongjong Elom, a student in Pisompongan, said with hope in his voice.
The #KPAP, the DSWD’s award winning online documentary, is a joint production of the Traditional Media Service (TMS) and the Digital Media Service (DMS) which are under the Strategic Communications. It is hosted by Information Officer Bianca Piedad-Tamondong and is posted every Tuesday on the DSWD’s official Facebook page. (YADP)
