DILG turns over P24-M infra projects in 'conflict-prone' barangays in Ifugao
By Chito Chavez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government has turned over P24 million worth of infrastructure projects in insurgency-cleared barangays of Ifugao under the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP).
DILG Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Director Araceli San Jose expressed optimism that the projects will provide the concerned community residents with safer access to health, education, transportation and delivery of farm produce to the market centers that will boost the economic development in the barangays.
“The implementation of the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) is a game changer in our fight for justice, long lasting peace and inclusive and sustainable development in the country,” San Jose pointed out.
The SBDP, the cornerstone program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), is part of the government's all-encompassing strategy for defeating communist armed insurrection in the rural areas by bringing development to previously conflict-prone communities.
Through these projects, San Jose said those living in SBDP barangays and in ‘Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) are gradually realizing the true meaning of change and that the government cares for them.’
The turn-over ceremony was also witnessed by the representatives from the municipal government of Asipulo, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), barangays, volunteers and other community groups.
San Jose explained that the completed farm-to-market roads were turned over to Barangays Binablayan, Danggo, Gumhang, Luhong, Tokucan in Tinoc and Barangay Pula in Asipulo.
She added that livelihood and development projects were distributed among barangays Danggo, Tokucan, Gumhang, Luzong and Binablayan in Tinoc.
The DILG-CAR chief emphasized the role of the government in ensuring the delivery of basic social services like roads down to the grassroots level.
“When roads are insufficient we, the government must step up to help upgrade, repair, and rehabilitate these vital links that serve as the primary drivers of tourism and local economic growth required to support economic and social development particularly in neglected and GIDA barangays,” San Jose stressed.