Manila: Mountain Province and its nine municipalities have received a total of PHP914 million from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) for infrastructure and other projects in communities previously affected by insurgency. OPAPRU Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento turned over the funds to provincial and municipal officials over the weekend during an event in Paracelis.
According to Philippines News Agency, of the total amount, PHP657 million was allocated to the municipalities under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program, targeting farm-to-market roads and local access infrastructure. The allocations include Sabangan with PHP165 million, Besao with PHP100 million, and Paracelis with PHP95 million. Bauko received PHP85 million, Tadian PHP65 million, Sagada PHP60 million, Bontoc PHP50 million, Barlig PHP30 million, and Sadanga PHP7 million. Notably, Natonin did not receive an allocation.
The provincial government also received an additional PHP257 million for six projects. This includes PHP50 million for the third phase of the Balicanao-Am-am Provincial Road in Bauko and PHP25 million for the second phase of the Mountain Province Peace and Development Center in Mt. Data, Bauko. Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan expressed gratitude to OPAPRU for providing additional resources for the province's development, emphasizing the importance of choosing peace over insurgency for progress.
Tadian Mayor Constito Masweng announced that his municipality received PHP65 million on top of an earlier PHP30 million allocation for two road projects. One of these projects aims to improve a six-kilometer farm-to-market road, facilitating easier travel and faster transport of agricultural products to markets. This road will also serve as an alternate route for tourists traveling from Sagada through Besao and Tadian to Cervantes and other parts of Ilocos Sur.
OPAPRU Undersecretary for Local Conflict Transformation and Peace Sustainability, Wilben Mayor, highlighted that the program aims to address development gaps that contribute to conflict. Improved infrastructure, such as roads, is crucial for reducing transportation costs and travel time, ultimately supporting farmers in bringing their produce to markets. Mayor explained that the projects were identified based on community needs validated by OPAPRU's field personnel, emphasizing the government's commitment to empowering communities and preventing insurgency.
