3 ELCAC dev't projs set in Rizal, Kalinga

By Peter A. Balocnit

RIZAL, Kalinga -- Three projects with total fund of P20 million were approved for Barangay Babalag East in this town under the End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) and Retooled Community Support Program of the Dept. of Interior and Local Government.
    These are the construction of water system for Purok 3 worth P3 million; construction of health center building  worth P2 million and concreting of the Barroga-Baggas road with box culvert worth P15 M.
    Municipal Planning and Development coordinator Cynthia Vicente said the local government unit of Rizal received notice these projects were included in the General Appropriations Act of 2021, and funds will be downloaded to the provincial government per Dept. of Budget and Management circular.
    She said the projects were selected from a checklist of priority projects during the barangay development plan enhancement Oct. 27-29 last year.
    Babalag East is one among eight recipient barangays in the Cordillera Administrative Region of ELCAC development projects that include four in Malibcong (Bayabas, Buano, Dulao and Duldulao), two in Sallapadan (Naguilian and Ud-udiao) in Abra, and Tambaon in Besao, Mountain Province.
    Babalag East has an area of more than 536 hectares with population of 1,196 of different ethnic tribes.
    Majority of the populace are engaged in farming and poverty is prevalent in the area. – PIA Kalinga