BAUKO, Mountain Province – The community of Am-am, Sadsadan, in the municipality of Bauko, now has better road access with the completion of phase one of the road project “Improvement of the Balicanao – Am-am Provincial Road.”
The completed phase of the project was funded under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program of the Office of the Provincial Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) in the amount of PhP25,000,000 implemented by the Provincial Government.
The PAMANA Program was first launched in 2011 as a priority program of the Government that supports the Peace Negotiation Track and contributes to the goal of attaining just and lasting peace.
Moreover, the program aims to contribute to (a) addressing issues of injustices and improving community access to socio-economic interventions; (b) improving governance by building the capacity of national government agencies and local government units for a conflict-sensitive, peace-promoting, culture-sensitive and gender-sensitive approach to human rights promotion and development; and, (c) empowering communities and strengthening their capacities to address issues of conflict and peace.
During the onsite visitation held last May 29, 2025, Barangay Captain Shearbourn Lawilao and local resident Marites Banaba shared how the road has improved daily life and community mobility.
Meanwhile, OPAPRU Engineers Gabriel Evangelista and Jayson Montreal expressed their optimism about the project’s 100% completion, especially that the OPAPRU has allotted the amount of PhP27,000,000 for the construction of the second phase of the said road project this year.
In Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr.’s message of support for the reinstatement of Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. as the Secretary of the OPAPRU, he said that the completion of the road project not only facilitated the movement of goods and people, but it also opened up previously isolated communities, allowing for greater access to government services, economic opportunities, and fostering a stronger sense of national presence.
Governor Lacwasan also identified in his statement of support the other OPAPRU-funded projects for 2025, which include the improvement of Tamboan, Besao – Abra provincial road amounting to PhP45,000,000; the improvement of the Mountain Province Peace and Development Center amounting to PhP15,000,000; and the perimeter fencing of Mainit National High School amounting to PhP7,000,000. By MP-PIO
