Garin seeks SP support on rehab efforts in Igbaras
The Songsongon tragedy in Barangay Barasan, Igbaras, Iloilo was remembered anew yesterday in the halls of the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP).
With collective support sought from the SP body, First District Board Member Richard Garin delivered a privilege speech that decried the many tragedies on said tragic day.
"In the wake of such tragedy, opinions and conclusions were offered, often misguided and based on wrong premises," Garin said. "There were those who argued that the tragedy could have been avoided had there been a "regular" bridge in the area. That, however, is more of a conjecture than an educated opinion."
As for contentions that the driver should have not crossed the overflow bridge, Garin in remembering the mis-event said such "in itself, is a tragedy. As we all know, hindsight is always perfect."
"This is not the time for finger pointing and blame throwing. That is an exercise in futility. Rather, this is an opportune time to think of workable solutions and consider our options," he continued.
The scene of the accident, Poblacion-Kipot road, is classified as a barangay road with the corresponding road network serving twelve barangays in Igbaras. It runs about 11 kilometers from the town proper and has been the "lifeline" of the locals.
"Preparatory requirements of the national government to construct another road in the area have been already accomplished. Its approval and implementation may be reasonably expected anytime. If this road project is eventually implemented, it will have a two-fold purpose: first, as a farm to market road and second, as an alternative route from Barangay Barasan to Barangay Igtalongon by passing the unpredictably dangerous Tangyan River. For clarity however, it is not intended to replace the existing Poblacion-Kiput road as a primary route of the barangay road network. It is simply intended to serve as a secondary route," Garin continued.
As such, Board Member Garin called for the adoption of a municipal resolution converting the barangay road to a national road if only to hasten development here.
"The existing road is in a state of disrepair. Municipal Resolution No. 2007-034 appears to have articulated the problem: there simply are not enough municipal funds to maintain the eleven kilometer road network," Garin continued. "I believe that by giving due course to this Resolution the Provincial Government would have re-affirmed its commitment to deliver basic services to its constituents."