BUTUAN CITY --  The 402nd Infantry “Stingers” Brigade (402Bde), Philippine Army participated recently in the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in Barangay Camayahan, this city.

The activity was led by the Assistant Secretary for Public Safety and Security Alexander L. Macario of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Mayor Ronnie Vicente C. Lagnada of Butuan City; and Regional Director Lilibeth Famacion of DILG Caraga. 

Col. Adonis Ariel G. Orio, the Commander of 402Bde, also witnessed the formal opening of the new road project. The barangay officials of Camayahan, together with community leaders, Indigenous People leaders, and representatives from the different people’s organizations were also present during the ceremony.

“The FMR will provide the residents of Barangay Camayahan a direct link to the market and trading centers in Butuan City and to the other towns in Agusan del Norte. The road is vital to the farmers in the area,” Col. Orio said.

Barangay Camayahan is among the farming communities in Butuan City where farmers are engaged in the production of palay, corn, vegetables, and varieties of high-value crops. Around 350 families from Barangay Camayahan will directly benefit from the road project.

The new FMR, with a length of 1,043 meters has a total budget of PHP20 million under the Local Government Support Fund – Support to Barangay Development Program LGSF-SBDP. The said project is among the 13 FMRs that will be implemented in 14 barangays of Butuan City under the LGSF-SBDP with other projects such as two (2) school buildings, six (6) water and sanitation projects, one health station, and one electrification project.

These SBDP projects are manifestations of the sincerity and commitment of the government to bring development to communities affected by armed conflicts caused by the presence of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). These projects are the product of the convergence of efforts of government agencies and other stakeholders under the Whole-of-Nation approach of the administration of Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte.

“Far-flung communities have suffered enough from the terroristic activities of the CTGs for years. The conflicts caused by these insurgents also hindered government development initiatives such as roads and other important infrastructures,” Col. Orio said.

The 402Bde, especially the operating units under its command in Butuan City and the rest of Caraga Region will work hand-in-hand with its partner agencies to fully implement SBDP projects that are essential to the lives of the people in communities, he added.

“The different operating units of the 402Bde will work with your leaders and other community stakeholders to realize the completion of SBDP projects. Together, we can defeat the evils of insurgency brought by the CTGs. Our unified efforts will bring in sustainable development and lasting peace, not only in Barangay Camayahan but also to the other communities in Butuan City and the rest of Caraga Region,” Col. Orio said. (Cpt. Jonald D. Romorosa, CMO Officer, 402nd Infantry Brigade/PIA Agusan del Norte)