PHP617-M infra projects for conflict-stricken E. Samar towns pushed

TACLOBAN CITY, June 15 -- The Eastern Samar provincial government is seeking the implementation of PHP617 million rural infrastructures next year under the “road for peace” projects by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

These 10 projects consist of farm-to-market roads, road opening, and bridges in the towns of Balangkayan, Can-avid, Dolores, and General MacArthur.

Of the PHP617 million, PHP90 million are for Balangkayan, PHP250 million for Can-avid, PHP117 million for Dolores, and PHP160 million for Gen. MacArthur.

In a letter sent to the Regional Development Council (RDC) on Thursday, Eastern Samar Governor Conrado Nicart said the proposed projects had been highly recommended by local government units.

“It is deemed proper to endorse the proposed projects in Eastern Samar to the RDC for favorable action to facilitate approval and funding of these projects,” Nicart said.

The OPAPP’s "road for peace" project known as "Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana)", the national government’s “convergence program that extends development interventions to isolated, hard-to-reach and conflict-affected communities, ensuring that they are not left behind.”

Imelda Bonifacio, Pamana’s Samar Island area manager assured the projects would be included next year as allocation for Samar provinces climbed to nearly PHP5 billion from PHP445 million this year.

“Eastern Samar is a priority for Pamana. From 2012 to 2015, 17 projects in the province have been implemented. Eleven projects have been completed already as of this year,” Bonifacio told PNA on Thursday.

OPAPP has been implementing PHP800 million worth of roads and bridges project in Eastern Samar since 2012 covering the towns of Maslog, Can-avid, Jipapad, and Gen. Macarthur. (Sarwell Q. Meniano/PNA)