“We’ve never had these many projects
for barangays,” says Quezon Municipal Mayor Pablo M. Lorenzo III. “I could see
the goal this road project will bring, which aims at providing people with
equal opportunities for an improved economic livelihood.”

The Department of the Interior and
Local Government – 10 in collaboration with the Provincial Government of
Bukidnon, and Municipal Government of Quezon successfully organized the ceremonial
groundbreaking of one local access road project worth P20M at Barangay Delapa,
Quezon, Bukidnon on September 16.

Gracing the event are Municipal Mayor
Pablo Lorenzo III, DILG 10 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe, Provincial
Administrator Atty. Jay Albarece, PA 1003^rd Infantry Brigade Major
General Ronnel Legarde, Deputy Provincial Director PLt. Col.
Daryl G. Aranton, and DILG Bukidnon Provincial Director Engr. Carmelo Enrique
Libot.

“I have witnessed the real
government,” Punong Barangay Larry Daquiado said, as he recalled the first time
he worked together with the DILG, PNP, AFP and various agencies in identifying
what projects will best serve the utmost need of the barangay. After careful
analysis, they chose the farm-to-market road project. “When this road is done,
it will be easier for us to transport and sell our products such as bananas,
corn, sugar cane, and cassava. We are truly grateful for this very important
project that has come to our barangay.”

The said project is under the Local
Government Support Fund – Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP)
an assistance initiated by the National Government through the
institutionalization of Executive Order No. 70 or the whole-of-nation approach
in ending local communist armed conflict in the country.

DILG 10 Regional Director Arnel M.
Agabe in his message shared the collective experience from former rebels why
they joined communist terrorist groups (CTGs), and how SBDP will expand
government presence in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA).

“The common reason is they barely felt
any government presence in their respective areas. This groundbreaking of the
SBDP project is the first time where the National Government, under the
leadership of President Duterte, has reached even the most remote barangays in
our country. Good governance will actually win our fight against communist terrorist
groups,” Director Arnel Agabe said. (DILG10/RO/Jess A. Batoon)