BALBALAN, Kalinga – The municipal government received P3.5 million from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) to fund four projects in the town’s conflict-affected barangays.
The amount will fund the construction of two units of elementary classrooms at Maling with a project cost of P1.4M; footbridge at Poswoy worth P1M; and Ben-ac waterworks system at Dao-angan and waterworks system at Poswoy with P1M each.
The amount released is 80 percent of the total funding approved by Malacañang. The balance will be released upon completion of the work.
The projects are advertised for public bidding.
The development interventions were proposed by the 50th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army to Opapp last year after consultation with the residents as part of the whole of nation approach to end local communist armed conflict.
Municipal Engineer Sonia Duggoy said a 50th IB representative visited her office sometime in October last year requesting her to prepare supporting papers needed by Opapp for the release of fund for these projects, which were then submitted to the funding agency.
Mayor Eric Gonayon thanked the 50th IB and the Opapp for their concern for the community.
“I am elated we are working as one through our convergence efforts,” he said, optimistic these projects will serve as proof of the government’s sincerity in uplifting the sad plight of villagers and eradicating poverty. – Peter A. Balocnit
