BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: It is a Build, Build, Build program for this landlocked province and gateway to Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) with the P1 billion loan offered by the national government for various health and road development projects.
Gov. Carlos Padilla said the P1 billion loan offered by the Department of Finance (DOF)-Municipal Development Fund Office (MDFO) will boost the economy in mostly upland communities in the province.
“This will surely spur economic development and boost the province’s capability in addressing health problems and concerns such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19),” Padilla said.
He said he is grateful that the provincial board has already given the authorization for him to enter into a loan agreement with the DOF-MDFO.
“Rest assured that these projects will be implemented properly for the benefit of our fellow Novo Vizcayanos,” Padilla said.
The projects include the establishment of Biohazard Level 2 Laboratory at the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital in Bambang town worth P5 million, construction of the NVPH building Phase III worth P162 million; P32 million dietary, laundry and ward building for Bagabag Hospital in Bagabag town with its access road worth P3 million and P1 million for cadaver holding area.
Road development projects include upgrading of road network projects called the Cagayan Valley Road project. These are the P33 million Kinacao-Kurasay-Kinalabsa road, P80 million Nagsabaran-Dabacan-Ampakleng road, P123 million Bonifacio-Dagupan-Palayan road, P41 million Difuday-Bonifacio road, P80 million Dupax del Sur-Liyo-Carolotan road, P260 million Palabotan-Caino-Anayo-Canarem road, and the P180 million Junction National Bua-Muta-Macabenga road.
Padilla said there is no doubt that the P1 billion loan will be beneficial to the province considering its low interest and its major impact on the socio-economic growth of the province.
“This is a very good opportunity for the province since which will speedily facilitate completion of our projects within two to three years compared to our system of funding these projects through our local sources which can only accomplish small portions of our road development,” he added. LEANDER C. DOMINGO