NTF-ELCAC farm-to-market road project underway in Aurora

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 10, 2023): NTF-ELCAC farm-to-market road project underway in Aurora (By Jason De Asis)

FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD. At least PHP12 million was allocated for the construction of a farm-to-market road in Maria Aurora town in Aurora province. Funded under the Local Government Support Fund-Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the project will benefit residents of three villages that were once under the influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army. (Photo by Jason de Asis)

BALER, Aurora – A PHP12-million farm-to-market road is now underway in a far-flung area of Maria Aurora town in this province as part of the government’s effort to address the root causes of insurgency.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday led the groundbreaking of the project that is funded through the Local Government Support Fund-Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Lt. Col. Julito Recto Jr., commander of the Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB), said in an interview on Friday that the project will benefit residents in the villages of Dianawan, Diaat and Bayanihan which were once under the influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Recto said they first conducted a community support program (CSP) in the recipient barangays that paved the way for the implementation of the SBDP.

“The project started from the CSP to address the grievances, needs and projects to be given by the government for the villagers,” he said.

CSP is the Army's tool that aims to bring peace and development in conflict-affected barangays and an initiative to bring the government closer to the people through an immediate delivery of basic services, especially to far-flung communities.

“I am very thankful for this development. This is for the welfare of our community. I also urge everyone to protect our community from the threats brought about by the communist terrorist groups for peace and development, for the sake of our future generation,” Recto said.

He lauded the efforts of the government agencies involved in the realization of the ELCAC projects.

Meanwhile, Maria Aurora Mayor Ariel Bitong thanked concerned government agencies for the project that help bring development to their area.

He urged his constituents to end their support to the CPP-NPA, noting that the government continues to implement projects in conflict-affected areas.

DILG-Aurora Provincial Director Ener Cambronero said the government is serious and sincere in bringing the government closer to the people.

He thanked the 91IB for its community support program in the province that serves as a bridge for the projects in the far-flung communities.

“Our Philippine Army assists us in the delivery of needed basic services and in the implementation of different government programs and projects that allow peace and development in our communities,” Cambronero said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197123