Gen says PDAF should be used for roads,peace progs

By Myds Supnad

CERVANTES, Ilocos Sur- A top military general said here last week the controversial  Priority Development Asssistance Fund (PDAF) should be allocated for “construction of  roads for development and roads for peace."

Maj. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon (NOLCOM), said the public's much-hated PDAF should not be removed and instead be used in developing under- developed towns in the Ilocos 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," the two-star general said.

Quoting Ilocos Sur Vice Gov.DV Savellano, Catapang said there are still many remote barangays here that have no roads and are underdeveloped in terms of infrastructures.

He said this should be given attention by the national government."Gaya ng sinasabi ni vice governor na may isang barangay na liblib dito sa upland municipality 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 barngay have resorted to planting illegal marijuana drugs 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  ang presyo, madalang pa ang namimili dahil sa walang kalsada,"Catapang said.

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