LAGAWE, Ifugao, Philippines — The saying in “adversity comes opportunity” has once again been proven in this municipality. While typhoon “Pedring” badly battered the province, it also proved the creativity and resourcefulness of some enterprising individuals here to use this disaster as a means to help people and at the same time earn income.

This was exhibited by ten people who immediately constructed a bamboo raft to ferry stranded passengers and travelers along the Banao River when the typhoon destroyed the Burnay Bridge that spanned the river along the national highway in Barangay Dugong here which serves as the main and shortest route connecting this town and the municipalities of Kiangan and Lamut and going out to other provinces such as Nueva Vizcaya.

While the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) is in a quandary of what to do with the numerous problems brought by the powerful storm such as the fallen bridge, the idea of building the bamboo raft cropped up to the mind of these people upon seeing the plight of the stranded travelers.

A rope was provided connecting the banks of the river for those who would dare to cross the now shallow waters to hold on until they reach the other side of the river to continue to their destination. But many were hesitant to wade and cross the river for fear of being carried by the current or getting wet.

The enterprising ten hurriedly constructed the bamboo raft made of ten pieces of bamboo poles with a length of six meters joined together and at its tips were attached to two big blue plastic drums to serve as its floater. At its four corners are also tied long nylon ropes anchored on wooden trees on each bank of the river to hold and control it from being swept by the river current and also as a means of navigating the shallow water toward each banks assisted by four people pushing it toward each respective direction.

In the middle of the raft is an elevated bamboo pole serving as a pew where baggage is placed and the passengers can sit and enjoy the ride. The bamboo raft can carry a maximum load of ten people per trip with P10 per person as fare.

In an interview with some passengers, they said that they won’t hesitate to pay how much so long as they don’t get wet and reach their destination safely and early rather than take the other detour routes which are dangerous and circuitous.

Some passengers even claimed that the bamboo raft ride is a very enjoyable experience especially when they have their kids in tow who do not like to disembark even if they already reached the other bank of the river because they said that as if they are in Burnham Park in Baguio City enjoying a boat ride.

Some people riding the improvised raft jokingly named the operators as the modern maritime graduates who are now working and earning income as freshwater seafarers.

Though the bamboo rafting ride was only good for five days as a temporary footbridge was constructed, it brought out the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the people.