LACUB, Abra(PIA) – The National Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) recently held a monitoring and inspection of projects under the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) in Abra to ensure that these projects are implemented properly for a sustainable impact among local communities.

Three towns namely; Pilar, Lacub, and Malibcong  were visited by the team.

In Pilar, six barangay health stations were inspected, and are now nearing completion.

In Malibcong, the Level III Water System in the far-flung village of Pacgued is still on-going.

In Lacub, the 200-meter local access road in Barangay Buneg with a budget of P4 million is at 100 percent completion. Meanwhile, the local access road upgrade projects in barangays Guinguinabang, and Pacoc were noted with suggestions and recommendation for further improvement. Once finished, these will improve transportation in the challenging terrain of the municipality.

NTF ELCAC BDP Director Monico Batle said that the continuous inspection and monitoring of the projects will ensure that the funds are maximized to benefit the conflict-affected communities

“Ang mahalaga dito, magamit talaga ng mga tao itong mga proyekto, kaya tayo nagpapatupad ng monitoring para tiyakin na nagagamit ng maayos ‘yung budget,” Batle stated during the exit conference in Lacub municipal hall.

[It is important to ensure that the budget is utilized efficiently  for the project, that is why we are conducting monitoring.]

The local government unit of Lacub headed by mayor Nestor Bersamina committed to implement the recommendations, and suggestions to improve both projects.

“We are thankful for these development projects for our communities. We will implement the recommendations, and we will ensure that actions are done for the improvement of the projects,” he said.

The inspection was participated by task force members from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the  National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Information Agency, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the LGUs.

The SBDP is a priority program of the government that delivers projects and services in conflict-affected, and vulnerable barangays. This is part of the efforts to promote peace and development especially in the countryside. (JDP/CAGT/JJPM - PIA CAR, Abra)