The so-called world’s shortest bridge in Iloilo has gone viral, where you need to pay five pesos to cross. The islands of Panay and Negros were hit by floods in the last days of August, causing significant damage to properties.
Every year, the Philippines experiences numerous typhoons, often forming in the Pacific Ocean and traversing through the numerous islands that compose the country. It’s unavoidable that some islands and areas are affected by the storms. The most powerful super typhoon, Yolanda, formed here, resulting in the death of 6,300 people in 2013. It reached wind speeds of 315 km/h (195 mph) and first made landfall in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
In recent times, each typhoon has been growing stronger. According to experts, this is due to climate change, which has led to abnormal weather patterns. So even if we’re not directly hit by strong winds, heavy rainfall follows, sometimes causing flooding. The island of Luzon experienced severe flooding during Typhoon Ondoy in 2009, resulting in damage to many properties and loss of lives.
Before August ended, Typhoon Goring affected Luzon. However, due to the southwest monsoon, the islands of Negros and Panay were heavily hit by intense rainfall, causing widespread flooding. But for some of our fellow citizens, this adversity became an opportunity to earn. In the town of Iloilo, a small bridge went viral, built to counter the flooding beside the road. It was dubbed the “world’s shortest bridge” by some. However, before crossing, one needs to pay five pesos, which drew criticism. Perhaps driven by poverty and the high cost of living, some of us are pushed to find ways to earn money for our families, especially after being hit and flooded by calamities.
