EO 70 fuels dev't projects in remote barangays in Region 12
By Danilo E. Doguiles / Philippine Information Agency
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – Sixty-two barangays in SOCCSKSARGEN Region will soon carry out the P1.24 billion worth of priority development projects as a result of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's Executive Order No. 70.
The barangays -- 36 in Cotabato Province (including 7 in Kidapawan City), 13 in Sarangani, 12 in Sultan Kudarat, and 1 in South Cotabato -- are recipients of the Local Government Support Fund - Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
As LGSF-SBDP target, these barangays are eligible to receive P20 million each to implement much needed projects.
Director Akmad Usman of the Department of Budget and Management in Region 12, told Philippine Information Agency that the DBM has already forwarded notice of cash allocation (NCA) for the LGSF-SBDP in Region 12 to the Bureau of Treasury.
"For the first batch, comprised of 36 barangays, the money has already been credited to the respective accounts of the local government units. Regarding the second batch, consisting of 26 barangays, it was not yet confirmed [during the meeting of the Joint Regional Task Force-ELCAC on May 21] whether the cash was already credited to the LGUs, but there was already an advice -- NCA number -- indicating that the money was already transferred to the Bureau of Treasury," Director Usman said.
This means, he added, that LGUs that have initiated procurement earlier may now award project contracts while those that have yet to start should already begin procurement based on plans and specifications of their projects.
Meanwhile, Director Josephine Leysa of the Department of the Interior and Local Government noted that SOCCKSARGEN Region is among the first regions to receive funding for the SBDP.
Leysa said DILG XII and the JRTF-ELCAC XII completed endorsement of the project proposals on March 31.
"For barangays that have only P1 million to P2 million internal revenue allotment or resources per year, implementing P20-million worth of projects is definitely a big deal," she said.
Data from the DILG XII indicate that a total of 206 projects have been proposed under LGSF-SBDP.
Of the 62 barangays, 58 have proposed a total of 67 upgrading, rehabilitation, or concreting of farm-to-market roads while 46 barangays will either construct or expand a total of 68 level I, level II or level III potable water systems.
Also in the pipeline are 9 school buildings, 19 barangay health stations, 19 rural electrification projects, 9 capability development support projects for marginalized sectors, and 3 technical vocational trainings.
In Cotabato Province, the LGSF-SBDP beneficiary barangays are Camutan in Antipas; Datu Ladayon, Kabalantian, Lanao Kuran, Malibatuan, and Tumanding in Arakan; Amabel, Bangkal, Bantac, Binay, Del Pilar, Doles, Don Panaca, Manobisa, Manobo, and Noa in Magpet; Batasan, Biangan, Luayon, Malabuan, and Old Bulatukan in Makilala; Del Carmen, La Esperanza, Lomonay, New Cebu, and Tuael in President Roxas; Banayal, Batang, and Bituan in Tulunan; and, Balabag, Linangcob, Marbel, New Bohol, Perez, Sikitan, and Singao in Kidapawan City.
In South Cotabato, it's Barangay Ned in Lake Sebu.
In Sarangani: Alegria, Datal Anggas, Domolok, and Pag-asa in Alabel; Nalus, and Tamadang in Kiamba; Bales, Lumasal, Malbang, and Seven Hills in Maasim; and Kihan, Kinam, and Upper Suyan in Malapatan; and
In Sultan Kudarat: Bantangan, Datalblao, Lasak, Libertad, Maligaya, Mayo, Natividad, Poblacion, Polomolok, Sinapulan, Sucob, and Telafas in Columbio.
These barangays were identified as "cleared" under the military-led Community Support Program (CSP) and have been selected for implementation of the Support to Barangay Development Program under the NTF-ELCAC.
According to the Local Budget Circular No. 135, the P20-million support fund will be released to the provincial or city government unit where a barangay is situated.
Leysa said that they have agreed with the local chief executives to proceed with the procurement prior to the actual release of funds so that "all projects will be in place before the year ends."
Apart from the P20 M support fund from the national government, these barangays are also beneficiaries of development interventions from national line agencies under a whole-of-nation approach to fight insurgencies. (DED-PIA XII)