CATBALOGAN, Philippines – The formal groundbreaking of two major infrastructure projects in Eastern Samar took place on December 16, 2024, with the goal of fostering socio-economic growth in conflict-affected areas. The projects include the P163 million Maslog and Jipapad Road (Phase I) and the P30 million Panic-an Bridge in Maslog, Eastern Samar.
Funded under the Fiscal Year 2024 Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program, which focuses on the transformation of former rebels (FRs), their families, and communities, these initiatives are expected to improve access and drive economic development in vulnerable regions.
The 2.4-kilometer Maslog and Jipapad Road (Phase I) and the 22-meter Panic-an Bridge will connect several barangays and municipalities, significantly improving access to key areas and enhancing the region’s agricultural infrastructure. These improvements are designed to facilitate market access for farmers and promote overall development in the area, particularly in conflict-affected zones.
Brigadier General Lenart Lelina, Brigade Commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade, highlighted the significance of these infrastructure projects, referencing the adage, “Insurgency ends where roads begin.” He stressed that the construction of these roads and bridges will be crucial in the ongoing effort to eradicate insurgency and foster progress in communities that were once insurgency strongholds. “Maslog and Jipapad were once considered hotbeds of insurgency in Eastern Samar, but now, with these infrastructure projects, economic development will soon thrive,” Brig. Gen. Lelina emphasized.
Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Storm, expressed gratitude for the government’s continued support in initiatives aimed at defeating the Communist Terrorist Group. “We believe that infrastructure development is key to ending insurgency. These projects will address its root causes, improve government services, and boost socio-economic development in the region,” Maj. Gen. Orio said.
Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) underscored the importance of these infrastructure initiatives in promoting peace and development in Eastern Samar. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to funding projects that improve connectivity, ensure access to essential services, and stimulate economic activities across the region.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by a distinguished group of officials, including OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., PAMANA Head NPMO Director J. Anthony Peña, Lieutenant General Fernando Reyeg of the Visayas Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Representative Marcelino Libanan, Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, and Maslog Mayor Heraclio Santiago and Vice Mayor Septemio Santiago. | via Samar Chronicle
