The Antique Perspective
By Jun Escalona , Antique Bureau Chief

The state of Antique roads

If the travel from Iloilo to Antique is not that good, particularly in that segment from Quianan , San Joaquin of the Iloilo portion to Asluman in Hamtic , Antique, travel in Antique from the South to the North “is a breeze”. We have said that before, with a few exceptions of course, and we are referring to that segment of the national road after Poblacion Patnongon to Brgy . Carit -an. But as you proceed farther North to Bugasong , the road condition improves with the asphalt overlay being undertaken.

If you've taken the road to the North from San Jose , however, several portions being rebuilt need to be done so as to be considered an improvement. Would you consider an improvement where potholes had to be bored on undamaged pavement of the road and where at least a few lost their lives avoiding the potholes drilled by the contractors, and encroaching on the other side of the road to oncoming traffic. Worst, they excavated certain portions of the road pavement and left them open to accidents to unsuspecting motorists. One has to experience it to be able to tell how serious it is to motorcycles and small cars.

And the south does not have a monopoly of these traffic hazards. Particularly driving at night, drivers need extra caution to avoid roadway accident. Sometimes no caution signs are found , if there are, they are too close for comfort. We don't think DPWH could not compel contractors to alarm the riding public of traffic hazards in highways. They should be held liable for any traffic accident that happens once in a while .

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Two major Antique bridges

This writer had been witness to an inauguration of a DPWH project in Antique and graced by no less than the President of the Republic . This one is not really ostentatious as we supposed, nevertheless quite elaborate in that the LGU had to go through several weeks of preparation before it is finally approved by PSG, particularly the security arrangement. We understand the utmost security, but the delay that people had to put up with and getting hungry for several hours until the President's chopper finally appeared in the horizon.

This, however, is eclipsed by the honor that the head of the Republic had bestowed on the LGU with the flying visit.

Dalanas Bridge between Tibiao and Barbaza took all of two years to complete, and ended an era of precarious river crossings in the North. Both towns claim territorial jurisdiction over the bridge. In the old Bureau of Lands survey, the river belongs to Barbaza . However, the new survey placed it in the territory of Tibiao . Where the facility is, doesn't matter. What matters is the ease and convenience that it conveys, is of prime significance to commuters particularly in the northern towns. Only Secretary Rene Villa came with the President. We have no problem with that since what is important is that the President saw with her own eyes what development has done for Antique and approve more infrastructure to the benefit of Antiqueños .

Inaugurated next to Dalanas Bridge that same day were two other newly completed projects: The Cangaranan Bridge to the South of Bugasong , and the Valderrama Flea Market. The bridge is perhaps easily the longest bridge in Panay island, spanning both pathways of the Cangaranan river downstream. The river skirts Valderrama from its source, and empties to the twin outlets to the South China Sea .

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The Ohio Valley Medical Mission in Antique!

The Ohio Valley medical mission has just concluded its 3-day humanitarian service at the Antique Provincial Hospital . On Saturday the medical team is scheduled to go to Culasi to continue its medical outreach. About 61 medical specialists came all the way from the U.S. to show its concern to the less fortunate of their brethren. Of course, there were several Antiqueños among the group. We shall come up with more information from the medical mission in the next issue. Mrs. Temana will supply us of some details.

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Thought to ponder: “A friend who is far away is sometimes much nearer than one who is at hand. Is not the mountain far more awe-inspiring and more clearly visible to one passing through the valley than to those who inhabit the mountain?” — Kahlil Gibran