P160M dev’t projects set for 8 conflict-cleared barangays in CAR

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 18, 2020): P160M dev’t projects set for 8 conflict-cleared barangays in CAR (By Susan C. Aro)

BAGUIO CITY, Dec. 16 (PIA) - - Eight barangays of the Cordillera region are recipients of various projects under the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) which helps address development gaps in Communist Terrorist Group (CTG)- cleared barangays.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cordillera Regional Director Marlo Iringan reported there are 27 projects for implementation next year in the eight barangays with P20 million earmarked for each barangay for a total of P160M.

Recipients are four barangays in Malibcong and two in Sallapadan in Abra, one in Rizal in Kalinga and one in Besao, Mountain Province. The said barangays are part of the 822 CTG-cleared barangays nationwide allotted with a total budget of P16.44 billion under the SBDP covering various infrastructure projects.

Projects in Malibcong are school building, hydropower plant and farm to market road (FMR) in Dulao; potable water system, public school building, and FMR in Duldulao; potable water system, health station school building in Bayabas, and health station, potable water system and FMR. in Buanao. One project each for Bayabas and Buanao are pending as replacement in the original list submitted.

For Sallapadan, identified projects are four potable water systems and one FMR in Naguilian and one FMR in Ud-udiao. Additional one additional project for replacement is expected in barangay Naguilian.

Projects for implementation in barangay Balabag East in Rizal are potable water system, health center and FMR while one project is still pending. Two FMR projects will are lined up in barangay Tambaoan, Besao.

Based on the implementing guidelines, LGUs are required to submit documents by the end of February 2021 while funds are expected to be released by March so that implementation will take place before the onset of the rainy season, Iringan said during the meeting of the Regional Task Force in ending local communist armed conflict (ELCAC).

For SBDP in 2022, National Security Council Deputy Director General Vicente Agdamag said National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon expects the inclusion of other CTG cleared barangays in the Cordillera region.

The SBDP is lodged under the Local Government Support Fund administered by the Department of Budget and Management. The funds will be released directly to the municipal local government units in the CTG-affected barangays.

This is in support to the barangay development plans of the priority projects identified by the barangays in CTG areas which address their needs in the area under the whole of nation approach of Executive Order 70 to achieve inclusive peace in conflict areas. (JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR) 

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1061924