OPAPP releases P15M for Pamana Kalinga projects

By Peter A. Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga- - An initial amount of P15 million was allotted to the provincial government to fund development projects under the “Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan” program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Henry Gupaal, executive assistant to Gov. JocelBaac said different projects in Kalinga were proposed and validated by OPAPP. “More than P30 million worth of projects were proposed last year, however, the initial P15M will be released for those validated for implementation this year,” he said.

Gupaal said the fund will be channeled to a trust fund account with Land Bank and that projects funded by this special program are subject to public bidding.

He said the provincial engineering office the program of work and financial plans of these projects.

Last year also, the sangguniangpanlalawigan authorized Baac to enter into a memorandum of agreement with OPAPP to implement PamanasaLahi projects in the municipalities of Tanudan, Tinglayan, Pasil, Balbalan, Pinukpuk, and this city.

These were part of community development projects provided for under the closure agreement signed by the national government through the OPPAP and the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army last year to transform the CPLA into a socio-economic unarmed force.

The closure program was in line with the Mt. Data Peace Accord signed by CPLA-Cordillera Bodong Administration leaders with former President Corazon Aquino in 1986.

Under the PAMANA, conflict areaswere given community development projects to hasten development and progress in the localities.