News update Kalinga implements P445-million infrastructure projects

TABUK CITY, Kalinga - At least P445 million worth of infrastructure and agricultural support projects are now in full swing in the different parts of the province to jump start the need for rural development as earlier envisioned by the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera to help the people move out from the shackles of poverty.

Engr. Enrico Guilas, regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), said the substantial funds allocated for Kalinga in this year's budget was an offshoot of the consolidated effort of provincial and municipal officials to extensively lobby for assistance from concerned national government agencies.

For fiscal year 2010 under infrastructure, the province is now implementing P445 million worth of infrastructure projects through the DPWH.

Through the initiative of Rep. Manuel S. Agyao, 13 road projects are ongoing. These are the Road Upgrading of Tabuk-Banaue via Tanudan-Barlig road - P100M; Kalinga-Abra road - P80.5M and Balbalan-Pinukpuk road - 58.7M. The are being implemented by the regional office of DPWH-CAR.

The Kalinga District Engineering Office, on the other hand, are handling the following projects; road upgrading of the Bulanao Paracelis road - P21.187M; Mt. Province boundary - Calanan-Pinukpuk-Abbut road -P41.4M; e Lubuagan-BatongBuhay-Abra boundary road - P30.8M; Rizal National road Liwan West-Babalag-Macutay section - P9.460M;Rizal National road Romualdez-Santor-Calaocan-San Pascual section - P17m; Rizal National road Babalag-Kinama-San Francisco section - P16.8M.

Rehabilitation of Bulanao-Paracelis road Calaccad-Cudal section - P16.9M; upgrading of Bulo National road - P15.8M, and Malalao National road - P16.5M, and construction of missing links of national road Tabuk-Tanudan-Banaue road via Mt. Province - P20M.

The national government boosted agricultural growth in the province as showcased by the various agricultural program on FIELDS or fertilizer, intervention, extension services, loan assistance, dryers and seeds.

It was during the previous administration that Kalinga, particularly the Town of Tabuk, became the hybrid rice production center of the Cordillera region.

Under the FIELDS, farmers enjoyed fertilizer subsidies, inputs to fight insects and pests, closer farm supervision, more accessible financial aid, flatbed dryers, bio-n laboratories, and subsidized seeds program.

Because of massive farm intervention brought here, production rate among the 19,000 farmers has improved to at least 30%. This resulted to higher income to rice farmers, bringing domino effect to the province's economy.