P135-M road projects launched in Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Apayao

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru) has broken ground on P135 million worth of road projects in Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga and Apayao to improve access in conflict-affected communities.

Opapru said Saturday that Presidential Peace Adviser Mel Senen Sarmiento joined local officials in the three provinces on Sept. 28 and 29 for the groundbreaking of four projects under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) program.

The projects include the P30-million Alsem-Tunuato Road Phase I in Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya; a P25-million road in Barangay Agbanawag in Tabuk City and the P40-million Awichon, Dangoy-Upper Uma Road Phase II in Lubuagan, both in Kalinga; and a P40-million farm-to-market road serving Talifugo and Ili in Conner, Apayao.

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Pamana funds development projects in conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable communities.

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Opapru said the projects would improve the transport of agricultural products and residents’ access to markets and basic services.

In Quezon, Mayor Anabelle Mae Binwag said farmers have difficulty traveling during the rainy season.

“When the road is improved, it will be easier to bring our products to market,” Binwag said.

READ: Opapru to Maguindanao execs: Prserve gains of Bangsamoro peace process

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Sarmiento also cited Nueva Vizcaya’s inclusion of former rebels in its Provincial Development Council, allowing them to take part in the province’s development planning.

In Kalinga, Lubuagan Mayor Joel Tagaotao said the road project in his municipality would improve mobility and access to jobs, businesses, schools and health services, aside from making it easier to transport agricultural products.

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In Apayao, Conner Mayor Jorico Bayaua said residents of Talifugo and Ili have also faced difficulty traveling during heavy rains.

Sarmiento said infrastructure spending under the government’s peace and development efforts should translate into improvements in people’s lives.

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“For every infrastructure that we do, people’s lives should be improving,” Sarmiento said./ja