PAMANA road project to lessen travel to E. Samar upstream town

From the Leyte Samar Daily Express (Mar 19): PAMANA road project to lessen travel to E. Samar upstream town

TACLOBAN CITY—Travelling from Maslog, an upstream town in Eastern Samar, to the nearest town will be easier as soon as the road project will be implemented through the government’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program.

Maslog Mayor Septemio Santiago said from the usual three to four hours by boat, it is expected to lessen about two hours of travel from the town center to the next town of Dolores.

“The road project of PAMANA will not only bring convenience to residents. It is also expected to improve their livelihoods,” Santiago said.

Maslog is a fifth class municipality and majority of residents depend on agriculture. Like other interior towns in Eastern Samar, it delivers its products to larger neighboring towns. The place is also known for its cool climate and lush rainforest.

Last week, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP), in coordination with partner agencies conducted an information caravan with social services package from PAMANA projects in Maslog.

Engr. Nida de la Cruz, chief of Operations Performance and Capability Development of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the information caravan was part of the social preparation program of the road rehabilitation project in Maslog.

The project forms part of the 42-kilometer road that will traverse the toAwns of Can-avid and Dolores. The 18-kilomer stretch will connect Dolores to Maslog.

The project costs about P446 million. Initial release of P10 million has been made by PAMANA.

PAMANA is the government’s program and framework for peace and development in areas affected by armed conflict and communities covered by existing peace agreements. It seeks to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities.

http://leytesamardaily.net/2013/03/pamana-road-project-to-lessen-travel-to-e-samar-upstream-town/