Paracelis P320-M LBP loan hit; projects start

By Roger Sacyaten

PARACELIS, Mountain Province – A P320 million controversial loan from Landbank for a water project among others in this remote town is still being assailed by town folks and netizens.
    But the mayor here insisted the fund will make life easier for residents and boost the economy.
    “We believe the Paracelis water system project, to be called Kakarefin Water,” will entice business investment, and tourism too, as we hopefully make Paracelis a first class municipality,”
    Mayor Marcos Ayangwa said this despite detractors who questioned the financial viability of the municipal government in paying the loan. 
    The water project was launched last April 20 at the source in Sitio Tollang, in Addang, Barangay Bunot, around 11 km to the center at Poblacion.
    The project cost of P80 million would be sufficient to bring potable water to Poblacion and Barangay Bantay, the initial beneficiaries, according to Ma. Evangeline Mellano, consultant hired by the local government unit to oversee implementation of the waterworks project.
    It was learned around 4,000 household connections in the two barangays will benefit from this project.
It will be metered to control water wastage and be an income generating venture managed by the local government.
    The expected output from the source is 800 liters per second, good enough to supply the two barangays that need only 40 liters per second.
    “So, this will be the water source for other barangays. We will share water to the other barangays in the future,” said Mellano.
    Reservoir water tanks will be installed in strategic areas along the route of the system that can be the connections to other barangays.
    The project fund used for the waterworks project is part of loan financed by Land Bank worth P320 Million.
    The Sangguniang Bayan granted authority to Ayangwa on March 2, 2020 to enter into loan agreement with Land Bank.
    Allocations for the P320 million follows: P80 million for the Kakarefin water project; P80 million for the multi-purpose building or the new municipal hall, P10 million for engineered sanitary landfill, P10 million for central terminal, P30 million for purchase of equipment for the sanitary landfill, P25 million for new health centers; and P85 million for counterparts to PRDP projects known as farm to market roads.
    SB resolution 2020-010 granted authority for the whole amount but  Ayangwa said the repayment scheme will be through progressive billing which means that interests would depend on the withdrawn amount and as the projects are implemented not at one time.
    “With the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) at roughly P240 million, we are capable to pay the loan in 15 years”, said Ayangwa.
    “We have conducted earlier consultations with stakeholders and there was no opposition. Perhaps the oppositors have to be zealous on monitoring the implementations. This project is the most basic of our projects as water is life. We ask for your support to this crucial project. By Christmas time we hope to deliver tap water to your faucets,” Ayangwa said.