Kalinga's eco dev't fund set for 413 projects

By Peter A. Balocnit

Wednesday 18th of July 2012

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, July 18 (PIA) – The 20 percent economic development fund (EDF) of the province will be used for 413 projects this year, with allocation per project ranging from from P50,000 to P4.5 million.

Provincial planners said the P91.6-million EDF will be used for nine major programs under the annual investment plan, broken down as follows: economic sector, P58 million; infrastructure projects, P44.6 million; and social sector, P28 million.

The 20-percent economic development fund is sourced from Internal Revenue Allotment, according to the website of the Department of Interior and Local Government. A DILG-Department of Budget and Management joint memo issued in 2011 said the fund could only be used for local projects that focus on social, economic, environmental development, and other related projects covered under it.

Flordeliza Moldero of the Provincial Planning and Development Office said the economic sector includes agricultural projects that aim to increase production including construction and improvement of communal irrigation systems, provision of postharvest facilities and veterinary services.

Provincial road maintenance was allocated P10 million. A total of P16.6 million will be used to improive provincial roads and bridges, and P18 million for barangay roads and farm-to-market roads.

Social programs, which received P4.5 million, include the upgrading of the provincial hospital, improvement of schools, health and day care centers, water works and drainage canals and construction of latrines.

Moldero also said that P10.6 million was allocated for the improvement of the Cordillera Athletic Association grounds and P6.7 million for the Kalinga sports center and swimming pool.

Livelihood development was allocated the amount of P2 million, cooperative development, P1 million, and tourism, P100,000. (PAB/PIA-CAR/Kalinga)