The provincial office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Capiz (DILG-Capiz) inspected anti-insurgency road projects worth P175 million in the Municipality of Tapaz.
The road projects are under the Local Government Support Fund–Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) benefited 29 barangays and implemented by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tapaz for fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
The inspection was done by the DILG-Capiz Project Development and Management Section (PDMS).
The DILG-Capiz PDMS Team is composed of LGOO V Erwin D. Bonifacio, PDMS Chief; Engr. III Emman Phil G. Gicana; Engr. II Lou Amiel V. Alsagon; and Project Evaluation Officer II John Philip E. Azarcon.
For fiscal year 2022, the 6 road projects located in Barangays Katipunan, Aglinab, Lahug, Roosevelt, Tacayan, and Acuña—with an allocation of P4 million each—have been completed and inspected by DILG-Capiz PDMS Team.
For fiscal year 2023, the 8 road projects in Barangays Abangay, Apero, Artuz, Gebio-an, Garcia, Libertad, Sta. Ana, and Wright—each with an allocation of P6.6 million—have already been completed.
Additionally, 14 road projects in the barangays of Daan Sur, Daan Norte, Senonod, Tabon, Mabini, Nayawan, Rizal Norte, Rizal Sur, Minan, Taganghin, Bato-Bato, Buri, Hilawan, and Aglopacan are currently ongoing. Meanwhile, the road project in Barangay Siya is still under procurement.
According to Katipunan Punong Barangay Jenelyn Bilbao, her residents encountered difficulty before the completion of this road. She shared her views on the positive impact of the said projects to her constituents.
“Ang tanan nga tawo nga naga-antos sang una nagabitbit sang tsinelas magkadto sa school ang mga bata, subong makapanaw ang mga bata sang insakto, makaderesto kag ang salakyan wala untat untat kag sige sige na paibabaw. (Residents who had to endure before, students who had to bring slippers to school – they can now walk comfortably. Even vehicles can pass through the area without having to stop every now and then.),” said Bilbao.
Acuña Punong Barangay Regolito Miranda Jr. expressed his gratitude to the national government for this road project, which he believes directly addressed the long need of the people in his barangay.
“Kon magkadto sa Panay River, magkuha sang mga kalakal, mga saging, halos didto sa suba nagaagi ang mga salakyan nakadto to wala na nabudlayan kag ang ginprioritize sementuhon namon kay tama ka budlay ang takason. Ang pumuluyo indi na sila ayawan pas-an sang ila produkto. (When we transport our products, vehicles mostly pass the Panay River and it is no longer that difficult because we prioritized the concreting of the uphill portion of the road. It is not a burden for the residents to carry their goods anymore.),” shared Acuña.
Tapaz Mayor Roberto O. Palomar is positive on the impact of the road projects to the lives of his constituents.
“Itong mga programa na ibinibigay ng gobyerno kasama ang DILG sa anim na mga Barangay ay malaking bagay ito sa augment sa transportation ng kanilang mga produkto na maibaba sa bayan. (These programs provided by the government along with the DILG to the six barangays are a big help in augmenting the transportation of their products from their farm to the markets.)” said Palomar.
For Palomar, convergence is the key in bringing the government closer to the people as a strategy in ending the local communist armed conflict.
“Sino pa ba ang magdadala ng mga armas pagdinala natin ang gobyerno palapit sa kanila? This is a holistic approach by the government which na hindi kakayanin ng LGU lang, hindi kakayanin ng military, hindi kakayanin ng tao, ng mga barangay. Kaya dapat converge ito, converge in a way na lahat ay sama-sama upang mahatid natin sama-sama ang tunay nga pang gobyerno. (Who will bear arms if we bring the government closer to the people? This is a holistic approach by the government which the LGUs, military, people and barangays cannot do separately. It should be a convergence; in a way all are united in bringing genuine governance to them.)” added Palomar.
The Local Government Support Fund – Support to the Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) is the government’s flagship initiative aimed at fostering development and delivering basic services to conflict-affected barangays that have long been left behind due to the disruption and fear caused by the presence of communist armed groups in their communities.
