P120-M funds allotted for NPA-cleared Northern Samar villages

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 21, 2021): P120-M funds allotted for NPA-cleared Northern Samar villages (By Sarwell Meniano)

BDP BENEFICIARIES. Residents of Nagoocan village in Catubig, Northern Samar carry relief goods received during a service caravan this February 17, 2021. The village is one of the recipients of the Barangay Development Program this year. (Photo courtesy of DILG Region 8)

The national government has allocated PHP120 million to implement development projects in six villages in Northern Samar identified as cleared from the influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

At least 35 projects will kick off in six communities this year as concerned agencies and local officials have started making detailed engineering designs and programs to carry out the Barangay Development Program (BDP), said Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Eastern Visayas (Region 8) information officer Myles Colasito on Wednesday.

These projects include PHP31.93 million farm-to-market roads, PHP17.49 million water and sanitation system, PHP18.5 million health stations, PHP24.8 million school buildings, PHP11 million electrification, PHP10.05 million assistance to poor families, and PHP6.22 million agricultural and livelihood training assistance.

Recipients are the villages of Quezon and Calantiao in Catarman; Hitopian, Nagoocan, and Osang villages in Catubig; and San Miguel village in Las Navas town.

“These six barangays have been prioritized this year since they are already certified as cleared from the influence of the NPA. They will see tangible proof of the government’s desire to bring development to far-flung areas,” Colasito said in a phone interview.

Funds have been released directly by the Department of Budget and Management to recipient local governments upon completion of required documentation.

The BDP is a flagship program of the National Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict, which was conceptualized to address insurgency by bringing sustainable solutions and basic services to communities in need.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1147737