The establishment of Carol-an bridged connecting the town of Ayungon in Oriental Negros and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental has improved the living conditions in the area, especially of farmers who can now easily transport their products, Ayungon outgoing Mayor and Vice Mayor-elect Edcel Enardecido said.

Most of the high school and college students in Ayungon are now enrolled in Kabankalan, Enardecido said. During market day, farmers from the different areas in Ayungon and Kabankalan trade their products at the auction market built beside the Carol-an bridge.

Some traders from Dumaguete City also come to buy agricultural products. The bridge and auction market are a joint project initiated by the both provinces, and the two local government units.

Aside from benefits in agriculture, the people also earn in terms of local tourism. Enardecido said Kabankalan residents have started to discover the beautiful beaches in Ayungon, and added that infrastructure development is one way to solve poverty and reduce insurgency.*MA

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