Peace road breaks ground

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 19): Peace road breaks ground

A common ground was set for both forces of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) and the government through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

The farm to market road was the common ground for both parties where the ground breaking was held that cover Sitio Alimatoc Proper to Hiyang-hiyang and Sitio Hiyang-hiyang to Huwebasan, all of Barangay Celestino Villacin in Cadiz City.

The road is part of the P500-million intended for various projects that will not only benefit the RPMP/RPA/ABB by the communities in the area as well as part of the peace and development of the northern area of the province.

Allan Gozon, representing the RPMP/RPA/ABB recounted how both parties finally inked the peace agreement to end the conflict through OPAPP.

Gozon said Barangay Celestino and its adjacent barangays used to be called the “sentro de gravidad” or the center of the revolutionary movement due to the slow delivery of basic services from the government.

Meanwhile,OPAPP Undersecretary Atty. Maria Cleofe Gettie Sandoval said that the government is listening to the plight of the people, from City Mayor Patrick Escalante to Congressman Leo Rafael Cueva to President Benigno Aquino III.

Sandoval added that this is just one of the peace project agreements between the National Government and the RPA-ABB to provide them and the community with the necessity towards peace and development in a certain place.

At the groundbreaking, a resident expressed his gratitude to the government because at last, long hours of trip will be cut down and he will be able to bring more produces in the market.  And by then, he said, they can have access and more opportunities to a decent living.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1031387414732