In Davao, residents risk their lives crossing Tamugan River to reach hospitals, schools

For many years, residents of Barangay Tambobong in Davao City have been risking their lives to cross the Tamugan River to reach schools, hospitals, and other facilities.

One of them is Jason Lowengo, who has been enduring pain in his abdomen and swelling on his feet for four years. He has difficulty walking on his own, so he uses a stick to support him.

In his condition, it will be a struggle to cross the river to get medical treatment.
“Walang health center dito sa barrio, nandun pa sa Calinan. Kung masakit ang aking tiyan tinitiis ko lang,” he said.

(“There’s no health center here, it’s in Calinan. When my abdomen hurts, I just endure it.”)

Jason lives up the mountain. He once tried to make the trek down for a checkup at the hospital, but he fell on the ground and lost his stick.

His neighbors carried him for an hour to the river. The crossing was difficult and Jason almost got washed away. But they were able to make it to the other side after 15 minutes.

Jason was then placed on a horse and eventually transferred to an ambulance waiting at the foot of the mountain.

When he reached the hospital, the doctor said his prostate was enlarged. There may also be a compression in his spinal cord, so he needs an MRI.

Jason is one of the lucky ones who made it to the hospital after crossing the river. Others are not so fortunate, like 23-year-old Melvin from Sitio Kibidtud, who was bitten by a snake.

“Pagdating diyan sa tawiran, hindi na raw siya makahinga. Pagyakap ko sa kanya, pumikit na siya,” said his mother Sosita Gasao. “Kung ok lang sana ang daanan namin dito makakapasok ang sasakyan, buhay pa siya dahil mabilis siyang madala sa ospital.”

(“When they reached the crossing, he said he couldn’t breathe. When I hugged him, he closed his eyes. He would have been alive if there was an easier route. He could’ve been taken to the hospital faster.”)

Landslides are also a problem. When Melvin’s casket was being taken to the chapel at the foot of the mountain, part of the slope fell down.

“Pagtingin namin, dahan-dahan nang natutumba ‘yung mga kahoy. Mga bato, bumagsak talaga. Sumigaw kami na, ‘Tumakbo kayo!’ Hindi na kami makatawid nun dahil nagbagsakan na ‘yung aming daanan,” Sosita said.

“Madadamay sana ‘yung 18 na tao na bumubuhat sa kanya. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko matanggap ang nangyari,” she added.

(“When we saw it, the trees and the rocks were already falling down. We shouted, ‘Run!’ We could not cross because our path had eroded. The 18 people carrying him would have died. To this day, I still could not accept what happened.”)

Around 20 families live in Sitio Kibidtud. There is no electricity and water supply, and signal is weak. The residents use gas lamps in the evenings.

Despite their difficult situation, the children here still dream of a better life. Karen, 11, wants to become a teacher so she can help her fellow residents get an education.

“Naglalakad lang ako papunta dito sa eskuwelahan. Mahirap talaga kasi tatawid pa ako ng sapa,” she said. “Nag-eskuwela pa rin ako dahil may pangarap ako sa buhay.”

“Ang gusto ko mapagawa ng tulay diyan para hindi na kami mahihirapan sa pagtawid.”

(“I just walk to school. It’s difficult because I have to cross the river. But I still go to school because I dream of becoming a teacher. I wish they can construct a bridge so we would no longer have to cross the river.”)

Students, meanwhile, cross the river regularly to get to school. They remove their clothes and place them in a plastic bag before wading through the chest-deep water while holding on a rope.

“Mga 80% ng estudyante po, galing sa Kibidtud. Malakas ‘yung current ng tubig po kaya ‘yung mga bata, kawawa talaga,” said Lea, a teacher.

(“Around 80% of the students here are from Kibidtud. The water current is strong so the children have a difficult time.”)

To help the residents, the KMJS team donated solar powered lights.

According to Sammy Sadani, Purok Leader, the situation in their area has been like this ever since he was a kid. Lives have been lost crossing the river.

The residents’ only wish is to have a hanging bridge so they can cross the river safely. Sammy said the purok leaders requested it, but no action was taken.

“Medyo malalayo na kasi ‘yan and kailangan talaga siguro isama sila sa development,” said Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Constante Llanes.

“‘Yung paggawa mismo, puwede namin silang tulungan dun. Pag nakagawa na sila ng kanilang programa na kung saan malaman nila kung ano ang gusto nilang gawin muna. Kung mauuna ang kalsada o mauuna ‘yung tulay,” he added.

(“The place is really far. A development plan is needed. We could help them in building an easier route, be it a concrete road or a bridge.”)

For those who wish to help, please deposit to:

LANDBANK
CA 0165094514
LEA C. VALMORES

ONE NETWORK BANK
5363340036475283
JAY VINCE M. BUSOY

—MGP, GMA News