SILVINO LUBOS, NORTHERN SAMAR — The PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program, which is under the oversight of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) inaugurated the Php238 million Mondragon-Silvino Lubos roadway and bridge project here on Friday, June 16, 2023.
With the road and bridge project’s completion, the usual 8 to 12 travel time from this coastal municipality to Catarman, the capital of this province, will be cut short to about 45 minutes.
According to Silvino Lubos Mayor Leo Jarito, with the newly-inaugurated road, it will now be easier to reach once isolated areas in the municipality, and deliver essential government services to the people.
“Ito na yung pinakahihintay ng Silvino Lubos. ‘Yung ma-connect kami sa highway. Dream come true na sinasabi. Pero ito pala ‘yung umpisa. Dito pa lang nag-uumpisa kung paano maging tuluyang maging payapa ang lugar ng Silvino Lubos.
Presidential Assistant for Office for Local Conflict Transformation And Peace Sustainability, Usec. Wilben Mayor, said that roads and bridges have great value to conflict-affected communities, as these will not just connect communities to town centers, but more importantly, help put an end to the decades-long communist insurgency.
“Malaking bagay po ito sa ating mamamayan, malaking halaga po ang kalsada, tulay, infrastructure na binibigay at ginagawa ng ating pamahalaan. Proven na po ang insurgency, kapag may development, ay natutugunan,” Mayor said.
The inauguration was also attended by Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan, Silvino Lubos Mayor Leo Jarito, Northern Samar 2nd District Representative Harris Ongchuan, Board Member Marites Gillamac, OPAPRU consultant MGen. Francisco Ariel Felicidario (Ret.), 8ID Commander MGen Camilo Ligayo, 803rd Brigade Commander Col. Efren M. Morados, Northern Samar Police Provincial Office Director PCol. Alfredo Tadefa, and OPAPRU Area Management Unit head for Western Visayas Ms. Imelda Bonifacio. ###
