Thousands in Agusan Sur benefit from DILG’s P1M-Performance Challenge Fund
TALACOGON, AGUSAN DEL SUR - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) through its Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) projects quickly responded to the needs of the residents in two barangays here when a farm-to-market road was inaugurated recently.
Opened on Thursday, May 30 to the public was the newly-constructed Marbon-Tutuan-Adgaon road after an ocular inspection and simple turn-over rites were held with Mayor Isaias Masendo, Armando Gomez, chief of staff of Governor Eddiebong Plaza, DILG Officer Lolita Savaria and barangay officials.
Expected to benefit from the P 2 million nine-kilometer road project funded equally by DILG through PCF and the 20% Provincial Development Fund and implemented by the municipal government are the 1,658 residents of Barangays Marbon and Zillovia.
According to Marbon Barangay Captain Gaudencio Abion, the project is a huge relief to the people who endured for quite some time the poor road condition especially in bringing patients to hospitals in emergency cases.
As the village chief, Abion added the project is a big boon to his constituents and he was grateful for making their dream come true.
Zillovia Barangay Captain Ernesto Napao on his part pointed out the economic implications of the project as it would make transportation easier. “With this development, travelling will be much more convenient and we expect the fare of passengers and crops to significantly drop down,” Napao stressed.
In his message, Gomez, representing Governor Plaza highlighted the relevance of the project. He said the delivery of social services on health and education and also of livelihood programs on agriculture for the constituents would be hastened.
He added that the FMR project will contribute further to reducing the poverty incidence rate and in improving the quality of life of Agusanons as desired by Governor Plaza.
Earlier this year, the National Statistical Coordination Board came out with the list of the top 16 poorest provinces in the country based on a survey last year and Agusan del Sur is no longer included as was the case in the past years.
PCF was a brainchild of then DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo of providing incentives to LGUs for being meriting the Seal of Good Housekeeping for good governance.
Talacogon is one of the towns in Agusan del Sur which got DILG’s nod on good governance. (PPIO-AGSUR)
by: Melody de Vera