By J. Jala and Stan Melicor | 2:10 PM January 17, 2020
The Napo hanging bridge, aerial photos of which recently went viral, will be closed following damage seen after only one month since it was turned over.
Locals noticed damage on the internet-famous attraction owing to overcapacity and misbehaving visitors.
Concerned netizen Isidro Minguito posted on Facebook some photos of Napo hanging bridge Thursday, January 16, 2020.
“Mao ni ang mga part sa hanging bridge nga nanginahanglan ug dinaliang action,” the post read.
The wooden deck appeared to have sustained cracks, while the main and suspender cables were almost detached, posing danger to people crossing the bridge.
Cracks are likewise visible at the cable anchors.
Several netizens were quick to comment including Bohol 2nd dictrict Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, whose office funded the project.
Aumentado said he called the attention of the DPWH to check the bridge.
“Di ba pag turnover gi ingnan ang mga Barangay Officials na ipa control ang pag pasulod sa mga taw. Ang Capacity ana is only 10 to 12 persons at a time pero gi pasudlan ug 50 to 100 persons di jud na mag dugay. Ug gipahibaw sad sila na pa pugngan jud ang mga taw dapat na anga taga Napo sa ang pagamiton di sa na ipa open for public view kay naa pa additional na trabahoon sa taga DPWh na idugang na cable para ipa support kay walay gyud ga expect na mahimo ni na usa ka attraction sa Inabanga. Ug maoy hinundan na kanunay nag overload ang hanging bridge. Ga expect mi daan na ug di na ma control di pa maka trabaho ang dpwh sa additional reenforcement na ma guba jud ni. Anyway gi call na ang attention sa taga DPWH ug ang contractor to investigate sa na damage aron ma repair ug ipa install na ug dali2 na infrastructure para ipa support sa hanging bridge para maka hold na ug daghan taw, ” read his comment on the same Facebook thread.
He said that during the turn-over, barangay officials of Napo were told to look after and regulate foot traffic at the bridge.
The maximum capacity of the bridge is only 10 to persons at a time.
But since it has become an unexpected tourist destination, at least 200 tourists visit the bridge even before it was turned-over.
The most are 50 to 100 persons at the bridge at at a time.
Some tourists reportedly jumped and swayed at the bridge for fun.
A resident named Belvic Aparre said that people who visit the bridge are stubborn.
She added that the bridge is not for tourist attraction but for local resident’s access.
“Tungod na sa mga tao nga gahi ug ulo, dili patoo badlungon, dili raba na para tourista para na sa taga napo aron dali lng ang ilaha pag tabok labina ug magbaha, unsa naman na ron, mga tao ra pod hinungdan ana nga nadamage, ug mopatoo pa lng unta ning mga taohana, dili na maingun ana,” she lamented.
Another one commented that the village officials should have watched it.
“bantayan unta nag mga tga baryo napo tanod ..ahat na nuon nag kaguba tungod sa way limit na motungtung diha..ang nakasakit dugay na kaayo ng gipangadoy sa tga baryo diha nya na in ana ras lima siguro ka pamilok,” Maginoo piro midyobastos said.
Some netizens blamed the contractor of the bridge.
Aumentado said that the bridge will be closed for repair.
“Anyway! No need to worry ipa close sa na kay ipa repair na ug ipa ligoon sad. Unsaon na mo anha sa tunga mag ambak2 mga 30 ka taw,” he said.
The bridge provides connectivity to residents of the surrounding villages of Napo and Cawayan.
It is almost 155 meters, which spans around 10 meters and offers a great view of the emerald Napo River below.
Local officials are yet to release their statement on the matter.
Napo Hanging bridge. Photo: Winston Pagaura
