Nueva Vizcaya Students Risk Their Lives Daily Crossing Cables for Class
NUEVA VIZCAYA – In a remote village in the province, students are forced to cross steel cables over a raging river every day just to attend their classes.
This dangerous situation has drawn attention on social media after videos posted by concerned citizens Crïzõn Tasin Attiw and Glory Madawat-Smith went viral. The footage shows students carefully balancing on cables that remain from a bridge destroyed by Super Typhoon Pepito in November 2024.
These students attend Pinayag National High School, located in Sitio Macdu, Barangay Pinayag, Kayapa—a school considered one of the hardest to reach in the entire province due to its mountainous location. The destruction of the bridge in Barangay Latbang cut off safe access, leaving students with no choice but to risk their safety every day.
Many of the students walk for hours—sometimes nearly half a day—especially during the rainy season, just to get to school. According to teacher Glory Madawat-Smith, some students have opted to stay in nearby boarding houses to avoid the long and dangerous journey. However, this option isn’t available to everyone, particularly those whose families cannot afford it.
Despite the risks, these students continue to pursue their education with courage and determination. Their resilience highlights the urgent need for action from local authorities. Residents are calling on the newly elected officials of Nueva Vizcaya and concerned government agencies to rebuild or repair the destroyed bridge immediately.
The community hopes that swift action will be taken before a tragedy occurs. For now, every trip to school is a test of bravery for these children—who cling to steel cables and risk their lives, all for the hope of a better future through education.
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