Ifugao: Several infrastructure projects have been formally turned over by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) to Ifugao Province as part of the agency's "PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn" (PAMANA) program.
According to Philippines News Agency, the projects included under the program's 2025 budget are the Lebeng to Cupang Access Road in Pula, Asipulo (PHP25 million); Phase 1 of Liwon to Ballukuk Access Road (PHP20 million); and the Pieza-Ambasa-Magulon farm-to-market road in Lamut (PHP22 million). Another set of projects have been funded under this year's program, including the Malingan-Nunhabatan Road in Lamut (PHP100 million); Awa-lgid Road in Pula, Banaue (PHP100 million); Cambulo Road in Banaue (PHP30 million); Poblacion-Maggok-Nagacadan Road in Hungduan (PHP45 million); and the Indigenous Peoples Tribal Centers for Peace Engagement, Solidarity and Unity in Hapao, Hungduan (PHP15 million).
"These strategically located projects aim to bridge communities across Ifugao's world-renowned landscape. By enhancing road connectivity and building dedicated spaces for dialogue among indigenous communities, these projects will improve people's access to essential public services, create more economic opportunities for farmers, and foster lasting peace and inclusive growth across the province," the agency said.
The PAMANA program serves as the national government's peace and sustainability convergence framework, supporting conflict-sensitive and geographically isolated communities through strategic infrastructure and social development. OPAPRU Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento noted that the agency utilized the results of a World Bank-funded study that highlighted three D's of Development - density, division, and distance.
'Itong (This) three D's of development is a result of a 10-year study on the number of economies globally. And I was privileged to be invited by the World Bank to pre-pick that particular report.more than a decade [ago], but it still is very much applicable today,' Sarmiento said.
