BY: VANESSA BUGTONG
Around 1,000 residents in Barangay Guisad Surong, Baguio City have been left in distress after their main access road was suddenly fenced off by a private landowner, cutting off transportation in and out of their area.
Among those affected is 83-year-old Secundena Manuel, who shared that despite her deteriorating health, she can no longer go for medical check-ups. “My sister told me I should get an X-ray,” she said. “But how can I go? I can’t walk that far and we don’t have a vehicle to get out.”
Just last week, Secundena slipped while sweeping and sustained a wound, but was unable to seek treatment because their vehicle couldn’t pass through the blocked road.
Former Barangay Captain Orlando Soriano said they were caught off guard when the fence was erected on April 18. “We feel isolated,” he said. “What if we need help? We’re residents here too, we pay taxes. We hope someone can help us.”
Residents say this is the only road accessible by vehicles. Robert Escolastica, who is building a house, worries about how materials can be delivered. “If the owner could at least open the road temporarily, it would help us a lot,” he said.
Another resident, Adela Viray, expressed concern about missing her medical appointments. “With the road closed, everything becomes harder,” she said.
Barangay officials estimate that nearly 200 households, or about 1,000 residents from Purok 2, 3, and 4 are affected. Barangay Captain Philip Cosalan said the fence was installed by a new landowner adjacent to the barangay. “There was some misunderstanding,” Cosalan explained. “We’ve tried asking them to open it temporarily, but we’ve received no response.”
A barangay resolution has already been submitted to address the issue.
