BAGGAO, CAGAYAN -- A heartbreaking scene of a funeral posted in social media has caught the attention of netizens in Baggao, Cagayan.

May-Ann Sumaoang Sales said that the scheduled internment of his grandfather was Saturday.

To reach the cemetery, the family made an improvised banca (balsa) to transport the dead across the river at Zone 7 sitio Marus, Hacienda Intal, Baggao, Cagayan.

What was disheartening was that the relatives had to brave tropical depression Agaton to be able to cross the river and reach the cemetery.

“Sobrang masakit sa dibdib ang sinapit ng pamilya sa pagpapalibing, halos malaglag ang ataol sa ginawang banca dahil sa sobrang lakas ng agos ng tubig sa ilog at pag ulan. Lahat nagsisigawan sa takot na malaglag ang kabaong,” a netizen told Manila Bulletin.

Another netizen said in a social media post “Nakakadurog ng puso tingnan ang sitwasyon dyan tuwing lumalaki ang tubig sa ilog yung kahit kay lakas ng alon kailangan mong tawirin ang ilog para makarating ka lang sa importante mong puntahan. Sobrang hirap lalo kung emergency talaga.”

Meanwhile, May-Ann Sumaoang Sales and the rest of her family have appealed to the local and national government for the construction of a concrete bridge or even a hanging bridge so travelers would not experience the difficult times similar to what they had gone through.

“Nananawagan po kami na matulungan kami na sana magkaroon ng concrete bridge o hanging bridge o mabigyan kami banca po, na pwede sakyan kapag may emergency, sana po matulungan nyo kami at mapansin ang inupload na video po,” said May-Ann Sumaoang Sales.