MASLOG, EASTERN, SAMAR – “When the road begins, insurgency ends. And when the road ends, insurgency begins.”

This was a realization shared by Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. in his message during the ceremonial groundbreaking of road and bridge projects under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program, spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), on Monday, December 16, this city.
These infrastructure projects include Phase 1 of the Maslog-Jipapad Road (P163 million) and the Panic-an Bridge (P30 million) with a combined total funding of P193 million under the PAMANA projects slated for Fiscal Year 2024.

The completion of the 15-kilometer farm-to-market road (FMR) and bridge projects aims to enhance connectivity within and beyond the municipality of Maslog by facilitating smoother and faster transport of goods, services, and people.

National government’s support for development

Galvez reaffirmed the government’s commitment to bringing greater peace, development, and stability to the people of Eastern Samar.
He also commended President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s leadership, particularly his efforts to engage in remote and underserved areas to ensure that even the most isolated communities receive vital government support.

“Pagyamanin natin ‘yung [P193 million] na naibigay po sa atin ng gobyerno. Sana maging maganda yung project na ‘yan,” Galvez said, as he urged Maslog’s residents to maximize the infrastructure projects provided by the government.

“…makikita na ng mga tao, na ito ang tatak ng PAMANA. Ibig sabihin, [pamana] niyo sa inyong mga mahal sa buhay at [pamana] niyo sa kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan,” he stressed.

Galvez highlighted infrastructure development as a key driver of peace and economic progress, emphasizing its role in linking communities, mitigating conflicts, and stimulating local economies.

“Gawin na natin ang Master Plan ng Eastern Samar para pagandahin ‘yung lahat ng mga roads natin at mai-connect connect natin. Sabi nga nila, kung saan nagsimula ang road doon babakas ang kapayapaan,” Galvez said.

“Sama-sama po ang national government…ang ating mahal na presidente. Atin pong papaunlarin ang area na ito at mai-declare later on na maging insurgency free ang buong Eastern Samar,” he added.

Economic growth of Eastern Samar

Last year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) named Samar as the province with the fastest-growing economy in Eastern Visayas.

“Highest GDP growth rate ang Eastern Samar na may 8.1% sa buong region,” according to Congressman Marcelino C. Libanan.

“..ipagpatuloy po natin ang ating pagkakaisa. Ipagpatuloy natin ang ating direksyon para palaging 8.1% tayo every year,” he said.

“Kung tuluy-tuloy ang ating pananampalataya, pagtitiwala sa Panginoon, sa ating mga leaders na nandito, sa inyong sarili, sa ating sarili, magtiwala na magkaisa, nothing is impossible,” Libanan added.

Goal of becoming insurgency-free

Maslog Municipal Mayor Hon. Heraclio C. Santiago noted that the PAMANA road and bridge projects are expected to alleviate poverty, spur economic development, and uplift the lives of the people in Maslog.

“Lumalabas doon sa mga issue natin ng ating mga kababayan na napakalayo ng gobyerno sa ating mga kababayan. Kaya itong Maslog-Jipapad road, isa ito sa makakapagbigay ng katugunan doon sa mga problema,” he noted.

“Dito mapapabilis o magkakaroon ng maraming oportunidad para sa ating mga nasa liblib na lugar…Kaya mapapalapit din ang mga kabataan natin sa edukasyon at mapapaganda at mapapagaan ang hanapbuhay ng ating mga kababayan na magsasaka,” Santiago explained.

“We hope to weaken, if not, eradicate the insurgency in the whole island of Samar,” he declared.

PAMANA is among the national government’s flagship convergence programs, which is focused on peace-building, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and development of identified Peace and Development Focus Areas across the country. ###