Road project grant a boost to fight insurgency

TACLOBAN CITY -- The multi-million US dollar road rehabilitation grant from the United States for the Island of Samar is a big help to the government's fight against insurgency, a top military official said.

Colonel Alex Albano of the Philippine army said the grant for the road rehabilitation in Samar Island, serving 15 towns, from the Western and Eastern Samar provinces, all in their area of operation, will help solve the insurgency problem in the island.

Albano said the project once completed will help in their civil-military operations and development activities among communities.

It will also help farmers in transporting their agricultural products and in boosting the economic activities.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson said $214.4 million will be used to rehabilitate 223.068 kilometers roads from the provinces of Samar and Eastern Samar.

The $214.4 million is part of the $434 million grant to the Philippines through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

MCC is an independent US foreign aid agency that is helping poor countries alleviate their depressed socio-economic conditions.

Singson, together with MCC Country Director Matthew Bohn, led his team in a road inspection last October 2, 2010, as part of the pre-road construction activity.

Singson said the project has a timeframe of five years.

The road rehabilitation cut across the island from the west in Buray, junction in Paranas, Western Samar, passing through the center part of the island going east to Taft Eastern Samar, then going to south up to the southern tip of Samar Island in Guiuan town. (Restituto A. Cayubit)

Published in Manila Daily Bulletin October 9m 2010.