83 infra projs underway in Cam Norte’s GIDAs
By Rosalita Manlangit
DAET, Camarines Norte --- 83 infrastructure projects amounting to more than P363 million in 55 Geographically Isolated and Disadvantage Areas (GIDAs) will be implemented this year in Camarines Norte.
The GIDAs are located in the barangays of eleven municipalities in the province of Camarines Norte.
The infra projects are part of the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) in line with the National Task Force-to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) program of the national government.
Each of the 55 barangays was allocated more than P6.6 million to finance the projects. The 55 barangays are in the towns of Basud, Capalonga, Jose Panganiban, Labo, Mercedes, Paracale, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Sta. Elena, Talisay, Vinzons and San Vicente. Only Daet, which is the capital town of the province is not among the beneficiaries.
Identified projects include 32 farm-to-market roads, 15 health stations, 16 rural electrifications, 4 school buildings, and 16 water sanitation.
Department of Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Melody Relucio said that all the projects funded under the SBDP have been prioritized by the barangays in their development plan.
She said that the formulation of the plan was made during the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) and embodied in the process of community participation.
The projects identified are their immediate needs. It is expected that the projects will alleviate or ease some of their daily burdens and contribute to their economic and social development, she said.
Currently, the DILG is actively engaged in the provision of technical assistance and conducting dialogues with the barangays and LGUs to expedite the completion of documentary requirements, facilitate a swift procurement process, and proceed with the implementation of the said projects.
Camarines Norte has been a constant beneficiary of SBDP since 2021, funding a total of 183 top-priority projects in eighty-three (83) barangays province-wide.