LAGAWE, Ifugao – Infrastructure development provincewide got a big boost following the inclusion in the P2.6 trillion national budget of the sum of P1.9 billion to bankroll the implementation of numerous projects that would improve inter-provincial and inter-regional linkages which will be instrumental in spurring economic growth in the future.
Rep. Teodoro Baguilat, Jr. said this year’s funds earmarked for the province will be used to improve the status of roads, bridges, flood control projects and schoolbuidings for the benefit of the greater majority of the populace.
“The improved inter-municipal, inter-provincial and inter-regional linkages will contribute in enhancing the province’s economy through increased economic activities and sources of livelihood of our people,” Baguilat stressed.
According to him, the 1.9 billion DPWH budget for Ifugao follows the consistent growing trend for infrastructure project funding in the province. “It is undeniable that investing in infrastructure development helps boost the economic growth of the province because it gives employment to the people,” Baguilat stated.
The administration lawmaker pointed out these DPWH projects give greater access to areas that are previously inaccessible, and we are not just talking about roads but also providing essential infrastructures such as irrigation and school buildings.
Part of the budget is P900 million worth of tourism infrastructures that include the Cudog-Munggayang-Kiangan road leading to Ambuaya Lake, Yamashita Shrine and Kiangan Settlement, the upgrading of Lagawe road, the Banaue-Mayoyao-Alfonso Lista-Isabela, and Chaya-Nagchayan road in Mayoyao town, among others. Also included in the 2015 GAA is P60 million farm to market roads projects in the province.
“The challenge for us is to ensure that this money is not wasted. Let us all be pro-active and let us check the progress of the projects in our province. If there are concerns, the people could inform so my office raise it before the implementing agencies,” Baguilat stated.
DPWH Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) director Ediberto Carabbacan is optimistic that with the cooperation of the people, Ifugao will have most of its roads paved by the end of 2015 in order to contribute in enticing more foreign and domestic tourists to visit the different scenic spots which will translate to the improved economic condition of the province in the future.
Carabbacan explained considering that Ifugao is a premier tourist destination because of its scenic rice terraces, there is a need to improve the state of infrastructure so that foreign and local tourists will be encouraged to frequently visit the identified tourist spots in order to contribute in improving the living condition of people in the countryside.
The DPWH-CAR official said most of the funded projects under this year’s budget will be bidded out in time for their simultaneous implementation during the summer months in order to take advantage of the good weather condition to implement infrastructure works to avoid untoward delays once the rainy season has overtaken the time for the project implementation.
He called on local residents and visitors who will be inconvenienced by the implementation of the projects to be patient because once the projects will be completed, they will enjoy more convenience in travelling to and from their places. By Dexter A. See
