P43.5-M infra projects turned-over to Iloilo farmers

Friday 22nd of June 2012

QUEZON CITY, June 22 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has turned over a total of P43,571,652 million worth of infrastructure projects to the Balasan municipal government and to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of TIMIPAL Agrarian Reform Community in Balasan, Iloilo over the weekend.

These foreign-funded projects, courtesy of the Japan International Cooperation Agency-Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (JICA-ARISP), are: the JNR – Maya-Tinguian-Sta. Ana farm-to-market road; Barangay Lawis potable water system; Pani-an – Lawis farm-to-market road phase I; and the Pani-an – Lawis farm-to-market road phase II.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio R. de Los Reyes said the infrastructure projects are expected to boost economic lives of the local residents as the roads will ease and shorten their travel time and will lessen the burden and difficulties of transporting their farm products for marketing, while the Potable Water System will enhance and ensure supply of potable water for everyone.

Iloilo Gov. Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. joined De los Reys and other DAR officials in turning over the projects and they shared the momentous occasion with Balasan Mayor Filomeno V. Ganzon and Vice Mayor Simeon B Ganzon, III along with some other local officials.

De los Reyes assured the ARBs that more projects would be poured in if they would maintain and preserve the projects. He asked them to be patient as the provision of projects goes through a tedious process but this is being remedied with some changes in the guidelines.

Ganzon assured the Secretary that they would sustain them for he wanted to preserve and protect the fruits of the projects.

Vice Mayor Simeon Ganzon said the projects were worth the waiting as these were dreams that came into reality. He said he would seek the passage of a resolution that would regulate the passage of heavy trucks on the newly concreted farm-to-market roads as part of their commitment to maintain them in their current condition.

Barangay Lawis chairman Jephry B. Samudio said he is very thankful for “surely these projects will help improve the quality of their lives.” (DAR)