Lanao del Norte leaders thankful for new PAMANA projects

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 18, 2020): Lanao del Norte leaders thankful for new PAMANA projects (By Apipa P. Bagumbaran)

ILIGAN CITY, Sep. 17 (PIA) - Leaders in Lanao del Norte province conveyed their gratitude to the national government for the new projects that will be implemented under the FY 2020 PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) program.

During the ceremonial signing of agreements for the implementation of PAMANA projects worth Php85 million, Munai mayor Racma Andamama thanked Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. for pushing the projects for her municipality saying it will have a tremendous impact on sustaining the gains of peace in Munai.

"Alam po natin na ang Munai ay isa sa conflict-affected areas sa Mindanao at sa pamamagitan ng proyekto na inyong ibibigay sa amin, ito ang magiging daan para maibsan ang paghihirap ng mga tao at matulungan natin sila para umunlad ang buhay ng ating mga mamamayan sa Munai," she said. (We know that Munai is one of the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao and through the project that you will give us, it will become a way to alleviate the suffering of the people in Munai and help them improve their lives.)

Andamama also committed to monitor the projects and ensure its proper implementation.

"Labis po ang aming pasasalamat at sana ito ang maging daan upang maging maunlad ang Munai," she added. (We are very grateful and we hope this will pave the way for Munai to prosper.)

For the 2020 PAMANA program, Munai will get agricultural productivity support through the procurement of farm equipment amounting to Php5 million as well as concreting of the Tamparan to Pantaon market road going to Camp Bilal amounting to Php35 million.

Camp Bilal was considered as one of the major strongholds of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Member of the Bangsamoro Parliament Abdullah Macapaar, formerly known as Kumander Bravo of the MILF, said they have been waiting for these projects.

“Nagpapasalamat ako kay Allah dahil nandito na ngayon ang signing na mag-implement sa lahat ng mga development project dito sa Lanao del Sur at Lanao del Norte," he said. (I thank Allah because the signing for the implementation of all the development projects in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte is nowhere.)

Tangcal Councilor Abdani Buanding, who represented Mayor Fatima Tomawis, also expressed the same appreciation for the PAMANA.

“Alam po natin na ang aming bayan, years ago ay dumaan po ng armed conflict, so masyadong kumbaga, kasama na kami sa medyo maliit na bayan, so kailangan po namin ang ganitong mga project. Sinisigurado namin na ang mga proyekto ay aalagaan namin," he said. (We know that our town, years ago, went through armed conflict, so in a way we belong to relatively small towns, so we need these projects. We will make sure that we will take care of the projects.)

The municipality of Tangcal will also get agricultural productivity support through the procurement of farm equipment amounting to Php2 million.

Lanao del Norte Board Member Achmad Taha, who represented Governor Imelda Angging Quibranza Dimaporo, also thanked the government.

He said the MOA signing demonstrated the sincerity of the national government in their commitment to serve the people and help alleviate their lives.

"Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte continues to give importance to peace-promoting projects and staying true to his promise to the Filipino people," he added.

Through the PAMANA, Taha said local government units are also empowered by leading the implementation of the projects in their localities. (APB/PIA-ICIC)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1053573