New road, bridge to link remote towns of Easter Samar
TACLOBAN CITY – Two of the remotest municipalities in Eastern Samar were set to benefit from multi-million infrastructure projects aimed to address insurgency and poverty in these areas.
The town of Jipapad will get a P163-million road while a bridge costing P30 million will be built in the town of Maslog, both of which would be funded under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (Opapru) and broke ground on Dec. 16.
The 2.4-kilometer Maslog and Jipapad Road (Phase I) and the 22-meter Panic-an Bridge aim to connect remote barangays in the two towns, which are still grappling with the presence of communist insurgents.
Opapru Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the guest of honor at the event, expressed optimism the projects would not only address insurgency but also help farmers transport their goods more efficiently.
“This is a Christmas gift from the government for Maslog and for the rest of Eastern Samar. We are happy that these projects, appropriately funded by Pamana, will truly be a legacy for your loved ones and for the people,” said Galvez before local officials that included Rep. Marcelino Libanan of the 4Ps Partylist and Maslog Mayor Heraclio Santiago.
Critical role
Brig. Gen. Lenart Lelina, brigade commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade, whose area covers the entire Eastern Samar province, highlighted the critical role of infrastructure in combating insurgency.
“Insurgency ends where the road begins,” he said.
“The construction of roads and bridges, especially in Maslog and Jipapad, will be vital in our campaign to eradicate insurgency and pave the way for a progressive community. These municipalities were once insurgent hotbeds in Eastern Samar, but with these projects, economic development will soon flourish,” he added.
