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 projectsâ€.
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.