CagVal villages cleared of NPA get P20-M each

By Gene V. Baquiran

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – Residents from the six cleared barangays cleared from the influence of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army-National Democratic Fund) are recipients of development projects to make their life easier under the whole-of-nation approach  to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) program of the government.
    According to the Dept. of the Interior and Local Government, P20 million each was allotted to barangays Apayao and Villa Reyno in Piat town, barangays Liwan, Annurtutu, and Minanga in Rizal town and barangay Balanni in Sto. Nino, all in Cagayan, under the support to Barangay Development Program.
    The barangay beneficiaries have reportedly been cleared of communist influence from 2016-2019 and are now ripe for the package of development projects.
    DILG Cagayan Provincial Director Rupert Maribbay said the budget is expected for release this year as documents required were submitted to the Dept. of Budget and Management.
    Among projects are improvement and expansion of farm-to-market roads, provision of water systems, solar dryers, farm sheds, livelihood projects, additional electric posts, and construction of health stations and schools, among others.
    The projects under the BDP were determined through multi-stakeholder, multi sectoral consultations, needs assessment studies and close cooperation with the local government units. The BDP were vetted through stringent measures and the implementation of the BDP will be through the LGUs and the regional offices of national government offices.
    The DILG said they will monitor implementation of projects.
    Aside from the six mentioned, 21 other barangays from the towns of Allacapan, Baggao, Gonzaga, Lal-lo, Lasam, Rizal, Sto. Nino, and Santa Ana will soon receive funding support for peace and development-related projects once assessed by concerned agencies.
    “We have already prepared the community.
    They finished trainings and done with their barangay development plans (BDP),” Maribbay said as the BDPs will serve as basis in identifying projects for funding by the DBM. -- PIA 2-Cagayan