Batuan mayor Antonino Jumawid said that the Makapiko bridge located in his town remains to be safe and passable.
This was confirmed and affirmed by Batuan Municipal Engineer Keith Martin Endres and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) District Engineer Magiting Cruz after they conducted an ocular inspection on Jan. 26, 2023.
The mayor said that he talked with Endres and Cruz and asked about the status of the bridge.
He further said that according to his personal assessment the bridge remains unchanged and still safe to use.
DPWH engineers declared the bridge to be safe and passable despite the damage caused by the onslaught of typhoon Odette.
The Makapiko bridge links the town of Batuan in the 3rd district to Catigbian in the 1st district.
Cruz assured Jumawid that the damage on the bridge will be repaired this year.
Meanwhile, former Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) administrator Benjie Oliva said that there is a need to change the name of the road where the bridge is located.
The bridge connects the barangays of Rizal, Batuan and Mahayag Norte in Catigbian. The road is not connected to Hanopol, Balilihan which is already too far, Oliva remarked.
Oliva pointed out that the road’s current name is Balilihan-Hanopol-Batuan. The road traverses 3 Catigbian barangays namely Hagbuaya, Mahayag Sur and Mahayag Norte.
Oliva suggests that lawmakers should change the name of the road to Balilihan-Catigbian- Batuan Road in order to avoid confusion.
“It seems nga wala gi recognize ang Catigbian aning pag gama sa ngalan sa national highway. Mamalihog ta sa atong mga municipal, provincial ug national officials pag correct ani nga road name. Daghang salamat!” Oliva said.