SUYO, Ilocos Sur -- The municipal mayor of Suyo, Ilocos Sur is seeking the implementation of more infrastructures, particularly road concreting projects, to bring more economic development programs in the depressed areas in his town.
Suyo town Mayor Mario B. Subagan said the newly opened 250-meter farm to market road connecting Sitio Kimpatubbog and Sitio Bito of Barangay Poblacion in his town is not enough to spurt the economic development in his town.
“The former conflict-affected area needs more road concreting projects for fully – reaching out the farm fields for growing highland vegetables and at the same time to deter the reported influence of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in the area,” said Subagan.
The 250-meter newly–concreted FMR was reportedly funded by the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur, and the Philippine Army’s 702nd Infantry (DEFENDER) Brigade graced the earlier opening of the road project.
The project symbolizes the sincerity of the government to consult, plan and implement programs in the former conflict-affected area.
Mayor Subagan said that he would remain appealing to the national government to look into their concern to achieve his dream of full development of his town, the touted gateway to Sagada, Mountain Province.
Army’s 702nd Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Krishnamurti Mortela assured the continuing collaborative efforts of the members of the different levels of TF-ELCAC and the community for the support on ending the insurgency in Ilocos.
Provincial Board Member Benjamin Maggay encouraged the residents not to tolerate the CTG presence in communities.
"Let us cooperate with the government initiatives to bring peace and development to our place,” said Maggay.
“May the presence and campaigns of PNP, DILG, AFP, and all other government offices, bring you sufficient enlightenment and wisdom so as not to be deceived and recruited by the CTGs,” added Maggay.
The commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, Major General Andrew Costelo, lauded the joint initiative of the different government agencies benefiting the former CTG-affected community that would lead to economic development in their area.
“The strong collaboration of everyone involved made this project successful. We expect that through this project, the community’s economic situation will improve by increasing their income,” said Costelo.