5 conflict-affected brgys in Midsayap slated for PAMANA funding

Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza together with Midsayap Municipal Mayor Manuel R. Rabara, and personnel from the Provincial Engineering Office and from the Provincial Planning and Development Office visited 5 conflict- affected barangays of Midsayap on June 01, 2012 to assess what specific road project is needed in the area.

The result of such assessment will specify actions to be taken in the drafting of the  project proposal for funding from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) through its program for peace and development, the PAMANA PDC (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan - Peace and Development Community).

A total budget of PhP30 Million (PhP6 million per barangay) will be needed to connect approximately sixteen (16) kilometers farm-to-market roads of the five barangays in Midsayap namely Kudarangan, Ulandang, Kadigasan, Damatulan, and Lumupog.

For its counterpart, the Provincial Government of Cotabato will provide the necessary road building equipment.  This will come after the offices of the Provincial Planning and Development and the Provincial Engineering have submitted their recommendations.

Engr. Edgar Escritor and and Engr, Demy Subaldo of the Provincial Engineering Office were tasked by the governor to oversee the conduct of an extensive inspection of the condition of the said road sections.
The project is aimed at improving the lives and empowering the residents in the 5 conflict-affected barangays.

Governor Taliño – Mendoza in her conversation with the barangay captains urged them to protect the provincial government’s equipment and its operators from any harassments or threats once the project starts. She made this statement to recall several burning incidents that happened in the on-going Digos - Cotabato Road Rehab stressing, she doesn’t want the same trouble to happen again.

PAMANA is a national program under OPAPP which aims to reduce poverty by delivering social and economical services to the conflict areas in the Philippines. sgjh