BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya (April 4)—At least six villages in Cagayan province are entitled to a total of P120 million worth of peace and development projects after having been declared free from the influence of the communist movement, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Rupert Maribbay, DILG Cagayan provincial director, identified the six barangay (villages) as Apayao and Villa Reyno in Piat town; Liwan, Annurtutu and Minanga in Rizal town; and Balanni in Sto. Nino. Each barangay will receive a budget of P20 million under the Barangay Development Plan (BDP) project.
The DILG said these villages have been declared free from the influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front.
Maribbay explained that the projects under the BDP went through multi-sectoral consultations and assessment studies in cooperation with the local government units.
“Residents in those six villages will soon enjoy various peace and development projects, intended to make their life easier under the whole-of-nation approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict program of the government,” he said.
Maribbay said these villages have been cleared of communist influence from 2016 to 2019 and shall receive the packages for development projects as soon as the budget is released within the year.
“The documents required of the villages to submit were already submitted to the Department of Budget and Management for the immediate release of the said funds,” he added.
The DILG has also identified specific BDP projects, which include the improvement and expansion of farm-to-market roads; the provision of water systems, solar dryers, farm sheds, livelihood projects and additional electric posts, and the construction of health stations and schools, among others.
“These BDP projects were scrutinized through stringent measures, and their implementation will be through the local government units and the regional offices of national government offices,” Maribbay said, assuring that the DILG will monitor the implementation of the said projects.
Meanwhile, the DILG also announced 21 more villages from the towns of Allacapan, Baggao, Gonzaga, Lal-lo, Lasam, Rizal, Sto. Nino and Sta. Ana are considered for the funding support for peace and development-related projects once they pass the assessment by concerned agencies.