Gen: ‘PDAF should be used for road development, peace’

By Mar T Supnad

TARLAC CITY- A top military general said the controversial  Priority Development Asssistance Fund (PDAF) should be allocated for construction of  what he called "roads for development and roads for peace."

Major Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Northern Luzon said the public's much-hated PDAF should not be removed and instead be used in developing under developed towns in Central and Cordillera regions.

"Andami pang hindi nalalagyan ng kalsada sa mga interior towns dito at dito na lamang gagamitin ang pera sa PDAF para umangat naman ang kabuhayan ng mga tao sa mga liblib na lugar," said the two-star general.

Quoting a vice governor,  Catapang said there are still a number of far barangays ins aid areas that have no roads.

He added these are under-developed in terms of infrastructure that should be given attention by the national government.

"Gaya ng sinasabi ni vice governor na may isang barangay na liblib dito sa kanilang lalawigan nahirapang mga tao doon dahil hindi nila nailalabas agad ang kanilang produktong gulay; mahina pa ang presyo."

Owing to lack of access roads, farmers in that remote barangay have resorted to planting marijuana that commands higher prices in the market.

"Balitanatin ay dinarayo pa ng mga mamimili sa liblib na barangay ang marijuana, mahal pa angpresyo, samantalang ang kanilang produktong gulay ay maliit na ang presyo,  madalang pa ang namimili dahil sa walang kalsada."

He said he will recommend to Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin and other top AFP officials to set aside funds from the PDAF for immediate construction of what he called roads for development and roads for peace, adding the public will certainly benefit from it.