TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - - Six barangays in three towns of this province, which were declared clear of communist insurgency, are set to undertake 22 development projects under the Local Government Support Fund - Support to Barangay Development Program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 2. 

Engr. Imelda Rosales, focal person of the Basic Services Cluster, said that a total amount of P120 million was already downloaded to the provincial government, where each barangay will receive P20 million for them to enable development in the areas that were formerly under the influence of communist rebels. 

In Region 2, the barangays of Apayao and Villa Reyno in Piat; Annurturu, Liuan, and Minanga of Rizal; and Balanni of Sto. Nino town, were among the beneficiaries and among the 812 barangays nationwide that were earlier declared by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) as insurgency-cleared.  

Rosales said that the barangays were given the privilege and prerogative to identify and propose projects which they want to undertake. 

She said that in barangay Apayao, the construction of a farm shed, a farm-to-market road, a solar dryer, and a water system were already proposed. 

"They also identified some livelihood projects, and they also want to form a cooperative to increase their farm produce," Rosales said. 

In Villa Reyno, the villagers raised the proposal for the construction of a solar dryer, a farm-to-market road, a water system, as well as the erection of electrical posts.

In Liuan, the locals aim for the a construction of a school building and a health station, the upgrading of a farm-to-market road, including the expansion of their water system and the installation of street lights. 

On the other hand, in Annurturu, there were three projects planned which include the upgrading of a farm-to-market road as well, the construction of a health station, and a solar dryer with a crop shed.

Simultaneously, in Minanga, the residents proposed the opening of a new road, and the construction of their own health station also. 

Meanwhile, in Balanni, the locals suggested the construction of a water system and the upgrading of their municipal roads. 

Rosales said that the projects were already set for bidding, and are expected to commence within the quarter. (JKC/OTB/PIA Cagayan)