I cannot seem to stop telling stories about my experience in Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay and this is simply because this island with three municipalities – Olutanga, Mabuhay and Talusan – is a perfect example of government neglect in the past.
Many people in the urban centers say that those living in the provinces complain a lot about the lack of attention given to them by government.
True! But why do probinsyanos complain? Here is one reason why.
Olutanga Island which is separated from mainland Mindanao by a 400-meter shallow channel and ever since, people of the island cross over to the other bank of the channel using a slow-moving ferry which today makes three trips a day.
The channel crossing takes less than 15 minutes and the ferry simply backs off, turns around and then docks in the other side.
The other option for the people of the island when the ferry is not available or if there are emergency cases is to take a pumpboat which negotiates the channel in a 10 minutes.
That is the easier part of the travel for the people of the islands because as soon as they dock on the mainland which is part of the town of Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay, they have to negotiate one of the worst roads in Mindanao – the 29-kilometer Olutanga-Alicia Road.
Trucks could get stuck for two to three days during the rainy season or a good two hours when the weather is fine.
To realize that Olutangans dreamed of this 400-meter bridge since they were born and many of them passing on without seeing the dream come true is a proof of the patience of these people.
It is only now that this dream is slowly being realized.
A bridge will soon be constructed connecting the island to the nearest point in Alicia town in the mainland and the 29-kilometer road is now finally being constructed, even if the construction group undertaking it is a symbol of incompetence.
Now, if you are from Olutanga and you happen to see for yourself the long spans of Skyways built in Metro Manila just motorists will not be stuck in a traffic jam, imagine how you would feel.
It would be a mixed feeling of envy, anger and discontent, a potent concoction to stoke a rebellion.
It is a good thing, a Mindanawan was elected President, Rodrigo Diuterte, because at long last short bridges and bad roads are now being built and constructed.
#KayoNgaLumagayDito!
#TravelAnExtraKilometer!
#TouchGroundFeelThePulse!
(This video presentation is a production of the Beauty & Bounty of Mindanao Media Team for the Mindanao Development Authority.)
https://fb.watch/aMszQ9xfWV/
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