The multi-million-peso standard concrete bridge crossing the killer Ubojan river in Tubigon was inaugurated and blessed on Friday as a “tribute” to three young siblings who perished in a flashflood years back. Town and barangay officials dedicated the vital facility to the memory of the ill-fated kids---all elementary school children of the Harina family in barangay Ubojan---and regarded it as a “concrete sight of hope” that no more lives may be wasted. Rep. Edgar Chatto, who was thanked for funding the project, led the rites together with Board Member Alfonso Damalerio II, DPWH-I District Engr. Celestino Adlaon, Mayor Luna Piezas, Vice Mayor Alfredo Batausa, and barangay captains Roel Alampayan of Ubojan and Anecita Middlemist of Talenceras.

The leaders of the two barangays which are connected by the bridge said the mountainfolk have their wish finally come true since the infrastructure can also accelerate their economic activities. The bridge provides shortened access to vehicles, including big trucks, that transport farm products to the plains and markets. The infrastructure project costed over P10 million which amount the concerned upland barangays could impossibly produce using their lowly income. The utter absence of fund had thus forced the councils of the affected barrios to jointly ask for assistance from the municipal government, which in turn strongly endorsed their request to the congressman.

Chatto had to repeatedly visit the project site while he was yet securing the fund and during the construction period to ensure quality of work. The solon's wife, Pureza Veloso-Chatto, herself sped to Ubojan and joined her husband in the inauguration. Ex-Board Member Eufrasio Mascariñas, also a former long-time mayor, came, too. He elaborated the effort of Chatto in materializing the project. Mascariñas rallied his fellow Tubignons in the inauguration to be “united in their support” for Chatto, citing the latter's capacity, hardwork and commitment as government official, development worker and public servant. The mountainfolk could not believe that one day a standard concrete bridge would exist on the treacherous river which for long time they crossed using a dangerous hanging footway just made of bamboo poles. Tragedy struck the three Harina children while they were crossing the river on their way to school one fateful morning, unmindful of the sudden flood that instantly flushed them to death. Fr. Thomas Balatayo officiated the blessing of the new bridge on the “criminal” river. (Ven rebo Arigo)