TOWN: CATIGBIAN, BOHOL

MAPPERS: AMARADO, JOHN VERGEL

EDO, ROSS JAN

SILVA, NADINE MARIE C.

MAY 10, 2014

In the first day of the GPS mapping at Catigbian,

Bohol. The mappers went early to the town from

Tagbilaran at 9 am in the morning. They went to the

Municipal Hall for a courtesy call with the Municipal

Engineer and to practice the GPS device. When everything

was set, the mappers were fetched by the municipal

service driver. The first batch of target barangays to be

mapped was Baranggay Ambuan, Haguilan, Sinakayanan,

Alegria, Poblacion Weste, and Poblacion.

In Ambuan, Catigbian some roads were

difficult to be accessed by a 4-wheel vehicle so they had to

walk to the end of the road and go back fo r the left vehicle

(Figure 1). It was very tiring and time consuming for the

mappers but it didn’t stop them from continuing their job.

After barangay Ambuan, Barangay Haguilan followed. As

usual, there were small roads that has to be passed through

walking. Though it was demanding, the mappers were

happy to walk because they get a chance to explore the

deepest place of Catigbian and were able to learn and get

something from it. Around 12 noon, the mappers were able

to map 2 barangays only, they stopped over the barangay hall of Brgy. Sinakayanan for a delish

lunch prepared by the Barangay Officials, the place provided them cold drinks and allowed them

to unwind for a while. By 1:30 pm, the mappers started to map Barangay Sinakayanan and

finished it around 2:30pm. The next barangay was Alegria, it has much better roads since it is

Figure 1. Mappers walking up to the end of the road not accessible by the van.

Figure 2. Catigbian Mobile Unit

near the town Center. The last two barangays were Poblacion Weste and Poblacion which

finished early since the road is a highway in a good asphalt condition. The mapping went

smoothly and it was done earlier than what they’d expected.

They went back to the Municipal Hall around 5:30 pm to return the vehicle and went to

the public market to buy dinner.

MAY 11, 2014

It was on the first day that six

barangays were already mapped. The six

barangays were Poblacion, Poblacion Weste,

Alegria, Sinakayanan, Haguilanan and

Ambuan. The mappers on the first day were

Nadine Silva and John Amarado, they were

also accompanied by a driver and two

workers from the Engineer’s office.

Afternoon of May 10, another mapper named

Ross Jan Edo followed to Catigbian and

joined the mapping on the second day

(Figure 3).

It was the second day of Catigbian

GPS mapping. The mappers woke up early

from a very comfortable sleep at Miss Ludi

Reformina’s humble home. She was so

generous and caring to adopt the mappers for 3 days and fed them very delicious meals which

the mappers always refer to as “the Bukid meal”. Before heading to the municipal hall the

mappers ready themselves by bringing the necessary materials for mapping which includes GPS,

paper, notebook, ballpen/pencils, hats/cap (protection for the extreme heat of the sun), shades

(eye pprotection w/c is unnecessary), and an appropriate outfit such as rubber shoes, and

comfortable pants and shirts. The mappers also didn’t forget their bottled water and snacks to

fight hunger during the mapping. When everything is all set the mappers were fetched by the

Figure 3. Catigbian Mappers (From Left to Right: Driver, Ronald, Ross Jan Edo; Nadine Silva (Upper), John Amarado (Lower))

municipal mobile unit (Figure 2). They first went to the municipal engineer’s office and plan the

route of mapping of the day.

It was planned to map barangays Candumayao,

Rizal, Triple Union, Baang, Libertad Sur, Causwagan

Norte, Bagtic, Bonbong and Mantasida. The mappers

were hopefull to finish all nine Barangays in one day.

They first went to barangay Candumayao and mapped

all the roads. Sadly, there were roads that were small

that vehicles can’t enter, so the mappers had to walk and

leave their truck in the intersection. It was very tiring

and time consuming for the mappers but it didn’t stop

them from continuing their job. After barangay

Candumayao, Barangay Rizal followed. As usual, there

were small roads that has to be walked. Though it was

demanding, the mappers were happy to walk because they

get a chance to explore the deepest place of Catigbian and were able to learn and get something

from it. It was already around 10:30 in the morning and the mappers were just able to map 2

barangays only, very disappointed, the mappers were determined to work faster and harder that

they’d be able to map four barangays in the morning. After barangay Rizal, barangay Triple

Union followed. It was a little easier than other barangays because most of the roads of barangay

triple union were concrete. So the mapping was done faster than the previous barangays.

Delighted of the moment, the mappers’ hope of finishing all nine barangays in one day was

reborn. It was almost 11:15 and the mappers are already heading to their next target baran gay,

Barangay Baang. While going to barangay Baang, the mappers were already informed by their

driver that it would be a more challenging barangay, for most of its roads are rocky or in

engineering’s term, a Macadam road (Figure 4). Not a good way for little vehicles like the mini

pick-up they’re using. Despite the bad situation, the mappers didn’t stop and faced the troubled

streets of brgy. Baang. It was lunch and the mappers had an hour break. They stopped over the

barangay hall of Brgy. Baang and were thankful of the Brgy. Captain cause they accommodated

the mappers and offered a delish lunch, cold drinks and a comfortable place for a little pause and

unwind.

Figure 4 MacadamRoad in Barangay Baang

Out of nine, already four barangays were mapped. A

fifty-fifty situation for the mappers. They don’t know whether

they’d make it to nine or not but they were still hopeful. Tired,

but the mappers are still determined to finish their job on time.

After an hour break, by 1:30 pm, the mappers headed to their

next destination, Brgy. Libertad Sur. As usual there were some

streets that vehicles can’t pass through so the mappers walked

the road. After an hour another barangay is done. Going to

their next stop, the mappers were delighted for they see a

possibility of finishing nine barangays in one day. The next

barangay was Causwagan Norte, it was the usual road of Catigbian. The Rocky small streets

were encountered again but the mappers were now getting used to it and is not affected by it

anymore. They treated it as playtime walking-walking. Around 3:30 pm and Brgy. Bagtic

already followed. Tired of so many walks, the mappers thought of taking a little break and eat

some biscuits and drink water but then they realized that if they stop they would just waste their

time. So, they have just decided to eat while doing the mapping. It’s like hitting two birds in one

stone. Eating the hunger away while mapping the roads out (Figure 5). Without even noticing

the time, the mappers were surprised to finish Brgy. Bagtic a little earlier than others, for it has

smooth roads and all vehicles can pass through it. Feeling blessed, the mappers were thankful of

the good roads. Following on the list was Brgy. Bonbong, it took the mappers to finish Brgy.

Bonbong to about 40 minutes only. So, they were able to estimate at what time they would

possibly finish the nine barangays intended for that day. Based on their estimates, they could

possibly be done by 5:15-5:40 pm. It means they had to work overtime and put extra effort for

the job. It doesn’t matter for the mappers, the only thing that worries them are their company;

such as their driver and their 2 guides. When they asked for permission if it was okay for them to

work overtime, their company, without any hesitations said “yes its okay”. According to their

driver, it’s better to do overtime today rather than extend the work for a day. With a thankful

heart for their driver and their guide, the mappers continued their job. Eight barangays down out

of nine. One remaining barangay left to map, the barangay Mantasida. It was last on the list for

that day. It has little streets, too, but fortunately a mini pick-up truck can pass through it. The

mapping goes smoothly as hoped. It was done earlier than what they’d expected.

Figure 5. Tambis Picking while taking a break from Mapping

They went back to the Poblacion to return the vehicle

and dropped the mappers at the public market so they could

choose the meal they want for dinner. It’s passed 5:30 and the

mappers are very exhausted and wanted to get a fresh shower

and have a good night sleep. The mappers feel very dirty of all

the dust and dirt that they’d touch during the day but despite all

negative feelings, nothing can surpass the happiness they felt

for accomplishing the nine barangays. For them, it was the best

thing that happened. Indeed, SUCCESS is the sum of all efforts

repeated.

MAY 12, 2014

The mappers hoped to finish all the barangays on the third day and go home by

afternoon. The wish to go home and relax pushed them to do harder. With seven barangays left,

the mappers are confident they could get through it on time.

The same routine as the previous days happened. As usual, the mappers woke up early to

get ready and took their delish breakfast at Miss Ludi’s home. At 7:45 in the morning, the driver

already fetched the mappers. With excitement, the mappers headed to the engineer’s office so

they could plan their route. With the help of the guide, the route of Maitum- Mahayag Sur-

Mahayag Norte- Liboron- Hagbuaya- Kang iras- Cambailan was planned.

Exactly 8:30 in the morning, the mappers together with their driver and two guides

headed to their first barangay, the barangay Maitum. The guide said that Brgy. Maitum would

not be very challenging for it has more accessible streets than the other barangay. Though it has

rocky roads the mini pick-up truck can still get through it. For nearly 40 minutes, one barangay is

already done. So, the mappers now headed to their next destination, the barangay Mahayag Sur.

The same scenario with the previous barangays. As usual, the mappers continue to do their job.

They traced the roads and marked every intersection, change of road type and every landmark

such as school buildings, hospitals etc... Following barangay Mahayag Sur is barangay Mahayag

Norte. It has lots of intersection so it was finished longer than Mahayag Sur. Again, the goal is to

finish four barangays in the morning and the rest in the afternoon. Around 11:20 AM and they

were now heading to their next stop barangay, the barangay Liboron. It would be their last

Figure 6. Enjoying the view while Mapping

barangay before lunch and their hunger pushed them to finish the work earlier. Their guide

texted the Brgy. Captain of Liboron telling that they would love to eat their lunch and spend their

one hour break at their beautiful barangay hall. Luckily, the Brgy. Captain willingly opened his

office for them. They were so happy to think that only three barangays were left. The mappers

are now excited to wrap everything up and go home.

At exactly 1:30 PM the mappers continued their work. The three barangays left were

Hagbuaya, Kang Iras and Cambailan. They headed directly to barangay Hagbuaya. It was sunny

at first but then suddenly grey clouds covered the sky. A rain showered them. Instead of stopping

and waiting for the rain to stop, the mappers were very determined to not waste a single second

and continued to work whether rain or shine. Though the rain delays their time, still there was

enough to finish the remaining barangays. Following Hagbuaya is barangay Kang Iras. The rain

has cooled down and the mapping runs smoothly again for the mappers but not for the vehicle.

There were rocky roads that turned into melted chocolate road. It has gone from bad to worse

which made the mini pick-up difficult to run. The rain was a disaster but the aftermath of the rain

is way more of a disaster. The mappers didn’t expect such a problem would occur. So the

mapper decided to just walk those streets that is difficult to pass for the pick-up. It consumed

extreme time and effort. It was already 4:00 when they finished mapping barangay Kang-iras.

Finally, the last barangay is next. Barangay Cambailan has to be done before 5:00 PM because

the mappers are stiil set to ride tha last trip of the bus heading to the City. With double the time

and effort, the mappers, driver and the guides kill no time. There were a little walking done, but

it was done faster. The recorder and GPS holder worked very seriously and is very eager to finish

everything. Amazingly, after 35 minutes, barangay Cambailan is wrapt up. Looking happy and

satisfied, the mappers together with their guides reported to the municipal Engr. Russel Lungay

all their datas. They all did an excellent job of mapping Catigbian. The engineer was impressed

and expressed her gratitude to the mappers. Of course the mappers extended their

acknowledgement to their driver and their two guides who never left them during the mapping.

The end of the three-day GPS mapping may give the students a bunch of laundries but for

sure it also gives them a more bunch of MEMORIES.