Mt. Province towns get P128M 'peace projects'

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines -  At least three towns in Mt. Province, which were ravaged by decades of insurgency, will be receiving  P128-million worth of “peace projects”.

Sadanga, Paracelis and Natonin  in  Mountain  Province were awarded  projects under the PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) program.

Mountain Province Governor Leonard Mayaen, Sadanga Mayor Gabino Ganggangan, Paracelis Mayor Avelino Amangyen, Natonin Mayor Mateo Chiyawan signed the Memorandum of Agreement with DILG Regional Director John Castañeda, DILG Mt. Province Provincial Director Anthony Ballug and  Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Deputy Project Monitoring Officer Nenita Quilendererino to seal understanding that these funds will be used for the development of these areas that were formerly rebel-infested.

Out of the P128-million PAMANA projects, two were awarded to  the provincial local government  – P50 million for a road opening project from Besao, Mt. Province   to Tubo, Abra and P20 million for  improvement project at the Bontoc - Besao provincial road.

Natonin got P20 million for the improvement of a 12-kilometer span of the  Natonin-Toboy Road while  Paracelis got P7 million  for the improvement of Poblacion- Marat road.

Sadanga got P25 million for two projects – the construction of Betwagan bridge and the Betwagan access road.

The PAMANA program,  Castañeda said, is among the  peace and development programs that aim to bring about social development to conflict- affected areas.

Mayaen said the funding will help in the improvement of their roads and usher in development in the province.

Already, 13 other PAMANA projects  are being implemented  in the Cordillera this year involving 12 local government units in Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain  Province.