PRMF: Promoting peace by bridging the gap between the rich and the poor
Mike Banos
September 13, 2009
"Instead of coming with guns and armor, we have sent our tractors and shovels to build roads to the least accessible areas of Misamis Oriental to open our people to more opportunities to improve their lives," Moreno said during the September 2 signing ceremonies for the Provincial Road Management Facility (PRMF).
Although Misamis Oriental is part of the country´s region which grew fastest in 2008, that same region still has a rather high rate of poverty incidence (36.1% of total households as of 2006, with four of the 40 poorest municipalities in the country, according to the National Economic & Development Authority (NEDA) Region 10 office.
"A quick look at the poverty situation reveals that many of the poorer municipalities are in areas which are out of the main transport routes and have difficult access," noted Leon Dacanay, Jr., NEDA-10 regional director.
Even before the PRMF was started in Misamis Oriental, the Moreno administration had already showcased the transformation of two former strongholds of the New People´s Army through the rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads: Sitio Lantad in Balingasag and Barangay Tama in Magsaysay. By opening up access to markets for their agricultural goods, the people from these two areas have been weaned from the influence of the NPA and are starting to reap the fruits of their labor through increased prosperity and access to social services such as health and education.
Under the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement Mr. Moreno signed with Australian Ambassador Rod Smith at the Provincial Capitol, Misamis Oriental will receive a P 40-million grant as a beneficiary of the countrywide Aus$100-million grant through the Australian Aid for International Development (AusAID) and a P4-million counterpart from the Department of Interior and Local Government.
The PRMF project involves road rehabilitation and maintenance, capacity-building and technical assistance. It will be initially undertaken on a 20-kilometer stretch of road passing through the hinterland barangays of Patag, Bagocboc, Tingalan and Nangkaon in Opol and later Claveria.
"Australia is working with the Philippine Government at both the national and local levels to increase investments in transport infrastructure. In partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Provincial Governments, the facility aims to boost the local economy by improving road transport," Ambassador Smith said.
"By 2014 an estimated four (4) million people will have better access to rehabilitated and maintained road networks, economic activity and public infrastructure and services that will improve their livelihoods. Better roads will also improve access to jobs, health services and essential social and educational facilities in rural and regional areas," he added.
The MOA was signed by the Australian envoy with DILG undersecretary Austere A. Panadero and Moreno and witnessed by Vice Governor Norris Babiera and DILG 10 Regional Director Loreto T. Bhagwani. Also present were provincial board members, Mayor Dixon Yasay of Opol, Mayor Redentor Salvaleon of Claveria, and the barangay chairpersons of Bagocboc, Nangkaon, Patag, and Tingalan of Opol.
The five-year PRMF aims to assist the Philippine Government manage and maintain over 1,000 kilometers of provincial roads in Mindanao and the Visayas. Under the agreement, the Australian Government, through its international development agency AusAID will provide about Php3.8 billion (A$100 million) over five years.
Aside from Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon is the other province in Region 10 included among the initial seven provinces to be covered by the program.
The PRMF is being implemented in Bukidnon at the Sayre Highway (Damay) Guilang-guilang-Kalampigan-Kalabugao Road in Impasug-ong Municipality with segments of the 39 km. provincial road to be rehabilitated by the program. President Gloria Arroyo led the groundbreaking for the project July 2, 2009 in Impasug-ong.
"In Bukidnon, the PRMF will provide approximately Php35 million in the project´s first year to rehabilitate up to 51 kms. of roads that will connect interior and upland communities to the national highway," Smith said. "The Facility will stimulate Bukidnon´s economy by using Philippine firms to create local jobs, a vital contribution in the midst of a global recession."
An estimated 31,000 people, mostly agricultural farmers – particularly palm oil and rubber producers, pineapple growers, and rice, corn, abaca, and coconut farmers – will benefit from improved access to markets, reduced transportation costs and increased income in the province.
"Good roads will also provide the indigenous communities in Bukidnon, such as the Manobo and the Higaonon, with greater access to livelihood opportunities, schools, health and other social services," Smith noted.
Australia is a long-standing development partner of the Philippines and one of the country´s largest bilateral grant aid donors. In 2008–09, the Australian Government will provide an estimated Php4.4 billion in development assistance, focusing on economic growth, basic education, and national stability and human security.
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